It would be true to say that it has been a busy and varied year. Top of the list has been the front hedge and boundary to the Wildlife Area. Although we were disappointed not to be successful in our application for funding through the BBC Breathing Spaces grant, the Committee decided that this was an important spending priority which we have carried out with a local contractor and our own volunteer team. The shrub/tree removal, thinning out, new planting and laying have made a big improvement to the public face of the whole site - and the resulting bonfire lasted a full day! We have also continued with limited thinning out of trees in the woodland area to improve the tree canopy and to allow more light to penetrate the lower plant life.
In the Wildflower Meadow, our first stage of the yellow rattle trial has not been very successful but we are learning from experience and will be trying again with fresh seed and some advice from GBC Parks and Open Spaces. It has the potential to help us create a more favourable environment for wild flowers in the meadow. Speak to anyone who has tried to encourage the growth of wildflowers and they will always speak of the frustration of the completely overpowering grasses!
The pond continues to be one of our most popular resources. In October, several willing volunteers dredged the pond for the first time in 3 years as we had been trying to keep dredging to a minimum to avoid unnecessary disturbance to the plant and animal life. Nigel Emerson has also done some valuable work replacing some of the treads in the boardwalk. Longer term, we will need to replace the whole boardwalk which will be a major exercise and very expensive as we will have to comply with the latest directives on accessibility and safety.
On the northern boundary adjacent to Pirbright Cottages, the Association has been involved in two legal issues. Firstly, the question of whether the green lane should be re-classified as a Byway Open to All Traffic (BOAT) which has yet to be resolved. Secondly, an encroachment onto the land leased by the Association south of Brook Cottage which has also yet to be resolved. The Committee has decided to walk the boundary of the Wildlife Area every year so that we can take timely action under the terms of our lease with GBC.
Last year, I reported that we were negotiating with GBC, the Heathland Project and Natural England to create a path from the western access to the Wildlife Area to link in with Bullswater Common and create a circular nature trail across Bullswater and Pirbright Commons on a route which avoids disturbing protected ground-nesting birds such as the Dartford Warbler and Nightjar. Our original thoughts have unfortunately not been possible to achieve but a compromise solution has been agreed.
As always, we are very grateful to Pirbright Parish Council who are continuing to include the Wildflower Meadow in their Paths and Greens contract which is an invaluable contribution. To that we add the excellent practical support from the small band of volunteers who keep the green path network mown and the site tidy and also undertake various small projects. This has been supervised and led most efficiently by Roy Johnson and Nigel Emerson.
On the social front, we held a second very successful Barn Dance in January which was not only great fun but also raised a good sum for the Wildlife Area and another summer BBQ in July which was enjoyed by approx 40 members and their friends and families. In June, we again entered Pirbright Church's Open Day Scarecrow Competition with a very convincing Steve Backley designed and constructed by the very talented Ann Mountjoy, one of our members.
The Wildlife Area continues to be a popular place to visit - from the regular local visitors to a wider range of groups who find us from our website. We also often receive appreciative emails and letters which give great encouragement.
On the membership front, there are 177 members plus 38 U16s. Once again, almost every member has indicated a willingness to donate either time or money, the great proportion of which is gift-aided and has added a further 28% through reclaim from the Inland Revenue. More detail on this later from Julie Harland.
Looking into 2009, we are planning to:-
As always, I would like to finish by thanking the hard-working Management Committee, all those who have contributed by helping with maintenance jobs around the site and all our members who give us generous donations to keep us afloat and encourage us with their positive comments.
Catherine Cobley
March 2009