Ogden Water Country Park

Minutes for Friends Meeting Thursday 9th October 2008.

Present: Bill, Christine, Chris B, Chris S, Adrian, Lorraine, Gavin, Ross, Sue, Robin.
Apologies: Anthony, Craig.

1. Margaret. Is convalescing at home after coming out of hospital. Her birthday is on 1st November, and it was thought by all that it would be nice to give her a near finished version of her History Booklet, with an insert signed by everyone wishing her happy birthday. Robin to source decent paper.
2. Talks. Thanks to Chris for standing in and giving an excellent talk about the Millennium Way at such short notice. Sue has organised a raffle for the National Trust talk. Christine is on with the refreshments and ginger cake. Bill to arrange to collect speaker (John Spencer) for the Civil War talk in November. Gavin/Chris able to collect him.
3. Walks around Ogden booklet. Now finished and will be off to the printers this week. It was agreed to order 3000 copies to maximise the economies of scale and bring price/unit down. Retail price to be agreed when the finished article arrives.
4. Halloween. Volunteers asked for at Halloween. Chris B, Gavin and Joyce, Lorraine and Adrian, Christine and possibly Bill happy to help. Craig obviously happy to front the show again, as a lot of people have requested his re-appearance as Frankenstein.

This year Halloween will be supporting the Overgate Hospice and Total Awareness Promotions, and they will be supporting the event.

1. Newsletter. Appeal for articles. Ross has written a short piece about Chris’s talk. Chris S. to produce newsletter soon. Robin to forward other bits and pieces to Chris.
2. Practical sessions. The practical in September was well attended, with workers enjoying the lunch time pastie, pie and juice kindly provided by Christine. Chris/Jan to put together a work programme for inclusion in next newsletter. Probably the work party will now go out once every two months, from 10-3pm, with lunch provided, as it seemed like a successful format.
3. Finances. Current balance is £3363, less the money to be spent on the leaflets (£579?)
4. Tools. Requirements and prices. Robin to establish list for next meeting.
5. AOB:   Christmas: Present wrapping day on Tuesday 2nd December, from 10am. Volunteers so far Jean Pickles, Christine, Amanda Farren, Margaret Greenwood, Joyce Davidson. Hannah has volunteered for effing duties in the grotto. Baby changing facilities. More information required. Chris suggested looking into adult changing facilities. Contact disability awareness. Posters. New Friends posters required. Membership forms into visitor centre. Robin to enact. Adders. After a summer survey, no adders seen, but North American Bull snake sighted on the golf course. Chris also came across several common lizards and a rare moth (caterpillar).

Next meeting:
Thursday 13th November 7.15pm.

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Minutes of Committee meeting- 21st August 2008

Craig, Janice, Sue, Christine, Ross, Gavin.

Special Guest- Michael,        Apologies Chris and Robin

1. Drainage and footpath issues were discussed with concerns raised over access being affected by continual flooding. Footpath maintenance is an ongoing process which is costly and time consuming so the group decided to organise a practical day to tackle drainage on site. It was decided that this would naturally help protect the footpaths

Action- Janice to arrange a date for a push to improve drainage. More details to follow but likely to be Saturday September 20th.  This will be a call to arms for the group in a bid to galvanise interest in practical conservation works ( with hot food incentives provided ).

2. Practical days- On a related matter the recent decline in interest and attendance for practical days needs reinvigorating by specific designated tasks. It has also been inhibited by a gradual loss of tools.

Action- Dave and Robin to reinstate allocation of weekend tasks and £500 to be spent on new tools- Michael to compile a wish list.

3. Margaret Stafford’s book on Ogden Water- this will shortly be finalised. Dave is working on this publication along with a project on Boggarts (!) with a view to an October resolution.

4. Summer Get Together- Friday 29th August 7.00p.m

This was discussed and finalised with catering, quiz, posters resolved.

A strole to the pond at 7.00pm followed by a get together, buffet, raffle and quiz. Committee to source raffle prizes.

5. Breathing Places grant-   this has now been signed off with all funding safely spent (£9750) and the new pond with boardwalk and dipping platform nicely bedding in.

6. Walks leaflet- a small delay has presented itself (well worth the wait though!). The final draught needs rewriting as the woodland carvings currently reference the route. The eagle has been reclaimed from the bottom of the clough but is badly damaged whilst the green man has actually been stolen. Chris and Janice will change the current format to reflect their absence.

The group agreed to schedule 3000 copies when this goes to print

7. Baby changing facilities- this has been suggested as a possible Friends of project in terms of financing for the disabled toilets. The cost is around £300. The committee agreed to delay a decision until the next meeting.

Talks schedule confirmed

Tuesday 16th September- windfarms

Wednesday 15th October- National Trust properties ‘ I could live here ‘

Thursday 20th November – The English Civil War

Date of next meeting Thursday 9th October 7.15pm

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Minutes for Friends Meeting Thursday 10th July 2008.

Present: Bill, Christine, Chris, Adrian, Lorraine, Gavin, Anthony, Robin, Craig, Ross, Sue.

1) Breathing Places Grant.
The pond has now been dug out, and is holding water naturally without the need for a liner. This has meant that the £2000 allocated to the liner has been re-allocated to the following expenses:
Excavator hire £350
Post and rail fencing £550
Microscopes £400
Pond dipping table/bench £500
Interpretation costs £200
The boardwalk will be constructed over the next couple of weeks.

2) Margarets History of Ogden Book
Bill has brought in the text on CD. Robin will pass onto Dave, who has agreed to edit and add further information from his vast knowledge of local history.
He will pick up the project on return from his holiday at the beginning of August.

3) Talks.
Bill has kindly organised two talks:
‘I could live here’ Wednesday 15th October
and
‘The Civil War’ on Thursday 20th November
Further details and publicity will be circulated nearer the time.

4) Car Park information board.
Discussed that the information board in the car park was falling into a poor state, and a replacement was needed. Locations suggested for a replacement were on the woodland path just beyond the gate entrance and by the bottom picnic area. Robin will discuss with Dave, and source a suppliers catalogue.

5) Summer Social.
Friday 29th August was chosen as the date for the summer social, from 7pm. A gentle stroll to the new pond (optional) will be followed by a buffet, get together and the usual quiz. The buffet will be supplied by Jans sister, who put an excellent spread on at the AGM. As well as a social, the event will be a celebration of completing the BBC grants works, and open to all members of the public. There will be a free buffet to members and their families, or £3 to non-members. £5 to include Friends membership.

6) Owl Event Wednesday 20th August.
Lorraine, Christine and Margaret will help out with the event by providing refreshments during the day. Christine will do some publicity.

7) BTCV membership
Agreed by all to renew the BTCV community network membership– only £35/year and includes an insurance cover element.

8) Website
Anthony has updated and tidied up the website with input from Jan and Chris.

9) Walks Around Ogden leaflet.
The leaflet is now at the printing stage and Chris has got the following quotation for 4 different sizes of print run:
1000 £456
2000 £526
3000 £596
5000 £726

Next meeting:
Thursday 21st August 7.15pm.

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Friend of Ogden Water Minutes for meeting 5th June 2008

Attended by Craig, Sue, Ross, Adrian, Lorraine, Anthony, Chris B, Gavin, Christine, Emma

Apologies Margaret, Cyril, Bill, Robin, Chris (ladies badminton evening), Jan

1.Cheque reissued for Steve Milner to replace expired cheque for bees talk, made out to air ambulance

2. Website- items and revisions discussed with Anthony, including front page, Friends of page and other streamlining. Chris to meet with Anthony and go through the site and review options.

3. Breathing places update- Robin has secured an extension to the funding bid until 31st July and this will allow us to complete the project. It looks as if we will not require the pond liner which has £2000 allocated but Robin has indicated that the funding coordinators will allow some latitude in spending this.

4. Calendar- this was raised as a potential project for this year and discussed by the committee. It was agreed not to create a calendar for 2009 as sales were difficult to come by other than friends and relations of the committee, it represents a major project and is very time consuming for little profit. This will be reviewed next year if an outpouring of interest ensues!

5. Hogroast- this has been mooted a few times as an event and after considerable research and much discussion the committee were concerned about cost, waste and appropriate use of funds; it was also felt to be an unnecessary way of alienating vegetarians. We decided to hold a catered event to be held on Saturday 30th August with donations to cost for attending.

This event will commence at 5.00pm and celebrate the opening of the new pond feature and completion of the Breathing Places grant works. A tour of the pond will precede the evening get together.

6. Some disquiet over event schedules and communication problems between The Friends and the site management saw an agreement reached to arrange a joint meeting to resolve some issues and raise concerns. Craig to arrange a meeting between the site rangers and the group. This to cover events, publicity, Christmas, Easter, Car park information signs and the Ogden history leaflet drafted by Margaret Stafford.

7. Walks leaflet completed and printing to follow shortly. Chris and Jan to find costings.

8. Talks- Bill has arranged a talk by Jean Evans about small National Trust properties for Wed 15th October called “I could live here”. Also a talk by John Spencer for Thursday 20th November on the English Civil War. Craig to contact Bill with a view to confirming these dates and talks.

Date of next meeting 10th July 7.15pm

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Minutes for Friends Meeting Thursday 8th May 2008.

1) Breathing Places Grant.
Works on the pond has started. Robin to liase with Christine re: publicity for pond etc. when completed. The majority of the money will be invoiced by the end of the project date.

Calderdale Council is designing and producing the two interpretation panels for the reservoir and the pond. They will be mounted in ash frames. Cost £2200, with original art work.

2) Orienteering Course.
Teachers training event had 13 participants. Thanks to Jackie Scarf for running the course. £10 donated to Riverside J and I for materials costs.

Running a Fathers Day event to promote the new orienteering course. Event to be organised by Anthony. Christine is happy to throw on some refreshments on the day in the classroom.

3) Future talks.

Bill is to organise the following:
Civil War for Wednesday 15th October and
Virgins for Thursday November 20th. Hurrah!
The above are both talks, and not anarchy or wishful thinking. Dates provisional.

4) End of Summer Social.
Emma/Craig/Sue to look into costs and availability of having a spit roast for Friday 29th August.

5) Leaflets. Walks around Ogden leaflet is finished. Chris to get a quote for printing. Margarets history booklet to be printed off and distributed to committee, and then will move forward on over the Summer.

6) Website. All agreed that a meeting with Anthony would be a good idea re: giving him more input/ideas/help on improving and developing the website. Possibly next committee meeting subject to availability.

7) Stationary for Lorraine. As Lorraine has left the Co-op, she will now need some stationary items purchasing. Ross/Sue to contact for a list of necessaries.

Next Committee meeting Thursday 5th June, 7:15pm.

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Minutes for Friends Meeting Thursday 6th March 2008.

Present: Ross, Sue, Robin, Gavin, Christine, Margaret, Bill, Cyril, Adrian, Lorraine.

1) Finances
Current account stands at £2282.89

2) Breathing Places Grant.
Works on the pond have started. Robin is confident that the project can be completed in 12 weeks. Digger hire to be arranged for after Easter, with delivery to be taken for pond liner and plastic boards etc. soon after then.

Bird box cameras: awaiting a final quotation from a company called Boxwatch, and then will proceed with purchasing the necessary equipment. Hopefully the delivery will be taken within the next 10 days.

3) Future talks and events
Events are needed for the forthcoming year.

Robin asked whether the committee were happy to support an ‘owl’ event in August during the school holidays. This would be an open day for families and children where they could ‘meet’ different types of owl, look at displays, go to talks and have there photographs taken with an owl. A mid-week event, set for Wednesday 20th August. Cost up to £250. Probably charge of £2 entry. Christine has offered to help organise refreshments.
(web address: www.owlsgreatandsmall.co.uk)

Text to promote event in Wildside publication:
Wednesday 20th August
‘Ogden Owl Discovery Day’

Come along to Ogden during the school holidays and find out about and meet these magnificent birds. Several different types of owl, from Eagle owls to Tawny owls, will be on show. Alongside displays there will also be mask making and other activities for a fun day out. It should be a hoot (groan!) Event runs from 10:00am to 15:30 – drop-in any time. Please telephone (01422) 249136 for further information. £2 charge

Other ideas were suggested for events. Sue raised to try and target schools this year and have an event for them. An event focusing on dinosaurs, perhaps enlisting the help and expertise of the West Yorkshire Geology Trust, was put forward. Christine to investigate whether it might fit with the curriculum.

Talks: Bill to follow his contacts and enquire on a talk about the Duke of Wellington regiment.
Christine to enquire about a ‘green issues’ talk with Calderdale Council.
Sue/Ross enquire about a talk on windfarms.

4) Orienteering course.
The orienteering course is now fully in place. New maps will be produced over the next two weeks. A training course may be held to introduce and coach teachers on orienteering for their classes.

• AGM – all agreed that the AGM would be better held in Spring/Summer to avoid inclement weather and encourage greater attendance on the lighter evenings.

• Margarets booklet. Move to push forward and have it printed.

• Ensure forms for Friends of Ogden Water are available in the Visitor Centre.

Next meeting: Thursday April 3rd at 7.15pm

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Minutes for Friends Meeting Thursday 17th January 2008.

Present: Ross, Sue, Craig, Robin, Gavin, Chris, Jan, Christine, Emma, Anthony.
Apologies: Margaret,  Bill, Chris, Lorraine.

1) AGM.
Details for the forthcoming AGM were confirmed as follows:

• Craig may be late attending due to a possible commitment in Nottingham, but all agreed we could get the AGM off to a start if necessary.
• The following members of the committee have so far indicated that they were happy to be nominated again: Ross – Treasurer, Craig – Chair, Anthony – web, Christine - publicity, Jan/Chris – practicals, Sue – banking, Gavin/Emma – executive members without portfolio.  A newsletter will be sent out prior to the AGM listing the committee positions if anyone else is interested in standing for any position.
• Jan to confirm buffet.
• 7 for 7:30 start. Jan and Chris have agreed to put together a slide presentation for the AGM, to be running as people arrive, giving a photographic review of the year.
• 7.30 Annual Review by the chairman, followed by committee nominations and voting.
• 8.15 buffet (organised by Jan)
• 8.45 Quiz (organised by Margaret S)
• Raffle - £1/ticket, prizes bought in by members of the committee.

2) Finances
As at 31st December 2007, the Friends had a positive balance of £12,389.18.
This excludes: Outstanding income from the sale of Calendars and Xmas Hamper raffle and expenditure on orienteering posts and signs.
£9750 is committed spend on the Breathing Places grant.
A resolution was passed to pay Anthony £70 fees for payment of hosting the ogdenwater.org.uk web site and for consumable items etc.

3) Calendars.

4) Mammal Review.
Agreed to finish the Friends subscription to the Mammal Society. Not much interest has been made in their journals. Resolved to subscribe to the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

5) Breathing Places
Concern raised over whether the £9,750 Breathing Places grant would be spent by the May deadline. Robin was confident this would be the case – just awaiting a break in the weather to commence works on pond. Should start by mid-February.

6) Orienteering Course.
New plastic posts and orienteering signs have been ordered and will be available for collection soon. Cost estimated to be £450 plus VAT.

7) Newsletter.
Robin to put together a short newsletter before AGM. A general plea will go out to members for them to come to the AGM armed with suggestions for potential Friends projects, activities, talks and also any feedback.

Also to warn folk not to eat an evening meal before coming to the AGM as there will be plenty of delicious food and drink!!

Next meeting: provisionally Thursday 6th March at 7.15pm.

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Minutes for Friends Meeting Thursday 22nd November.

Present: Ross, Sue, Margaret, Bill, Lorraine, Adrian, Craig, Robin, Gavin, Bill, Chris, Jan, Christine.

Apologies: Chris S, Emma.

1) Finances
Current Account stands at £2250, with a cheque for £50 outstanding.
The Breathing Places grant money in the interest account has earned £80 of interest so far.

2) Breathing Places
Robin is to chase Hugh Roberts re: supply of materials for the pond – ie plastics for boardwalk and pond liner.

3) Badger Talk
Good turn out of 30 people. Edward Ashman was very pleased with the total £83.50 of donations.

4) AGM
Date set of Friday First of February for AGM. Craig has looked into the possibility of a Hog Roast but it is expensive at £450, and would be better suited to a warmer time of year. Catering budget for AGM set at £300, and Jan will ask her sister for a price based on 50 covers. Food to be supplied to round off 150 years celebrations.
Jan and Chris have agreed to put together a small slide presentation for the AGM.

5) Christmas.
Margaret to make another hamper for a Xmas raffle. Hamper to be in the shop by weekend. Christine looking for helpers for Xmas refreshments during Father Xmas event (newsletter?). Lorraine to sort out mulled wine.

6) Walks leaflet.
Chris has progressed with the Walks Around Ogden leaflet – its looking excellent. Chris will price up the cost of printing the publication and work out a retail price. To meet with Dave and Robin to finalise details, such as waymarking and stepping stones.

A.O.B.
Simon Dedrick.
Simon has been extremely ill. Agreed to send Simon get well wishes from the Friends, and buy flowers, wine and chocolates.

Orienteering Course.
With the bid to the Co-op unsuccessful, Robin asked committee whether they would be able to pay for the replacement orienteering course. Agreed to do so. Robin to meet with Anthony to progress.

Next Meeting:
Thursday 17th January, 7:15pm.