Jun 2014

The following is a summary of our meeting, using abridged notes from the official minutes they are not intended to be a replacement of those minutes, a full copy of the minutes are available from the group Secretary.

Meeting held,  5th June 2014

PRESENT: Stewart Edwards (Chair), Jackie Tait, Mike Adames,  Simon Osborn, David Robinson, Judith James

APOLOGIES:  Trevor and Chris Incles, Frank Jacobs

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING – Agreed

FINANCES/GRANTS – Funds stand at £242.63

RIVER CLEANING –  No clearing work carried out since last meeting to avoid disturbance to nesting birds.  The volume of weed is too great to pull out by hand.  It should be sprayed at this time of year and EA have reported they now have licence to spray which should take place shortly.  Thulborns contractors will carry out manual weed clearing through the town later in the summer.  Some weed clearing by LYF in March by Conservative Club and behind Cinema has been reasonably successful.  Simon suggested a photo record of weed growth as evidence for EA.

EQUIPMENT – There has been no reply from NSC  regarding access to amenity site

FOOTPATHS/WALKS – Four members went out to Manmoor Lane to view proposed  route of short permissive path suggested by Mike to complete Two Rivers Walk.  Awaiting permission required from farmer.

LEVELS AND FLOW – See Heading The River – levels

REPORTS FROM RIVER REPRESENTATIVES

Bernard’s Section  – Watercress growing from both sides near Court Lane.

Stewart’s Section – Brood of ducklings recorded, but most have not survived, one pair has successfully raised 7 from an initial brood of 12.  Moorhens have raised a couple of chicks that are now juveniles and another brood hatched last week from a nest in watercress near Medical Centre.  Fish continues to thrive

Town Section – NSC responded to request to clear trash screen towards end of May.  Another small bush has fallen in near Conservative Club.  A small work party will clear this and any watercress in this section.  Jackie had been e-mailed by a supporter who lives next to Salvation Army Hall as she was concerned about the amount of silt in her section.  Stewart paid a visit and found an interesting variety of wild life.  Apart from nesting ducks and moorhens there is a heron that visits and at dusk bats have been seen flying in and out of culvert under Salvation Army hall.

Trevor’s Section – Clumps of watercress noted by South Clevedon Playing Field.

PUBLICITY – Stewart met Geoff Hale for a video on LYF which was included in Clevedon News released see News section.  Stewart had received a Civic Award for Voluntary Service to the town awarded by Clevedon Town Council.

WEBSITE – Site renewed

ANY OTHER BUSINESS – It was reported that a dog owner was seen throwing a ball in the river for their dog to retrieve it was pointed out that this was disturbing the ducklings and moorhen chicks and the owner was asked if they kindly respect the river wildlife.

 

DATE  OF NEXT MEETING –  7th August at 7.30 pm at the Sailing Club.