2011 has been a relatively quiet year with no major projects but with a firm eye on applying for funding to replace the pond-dipping platform and boardwalk knowing that the lead in time for obtaining grants is always lengthy. As they are the Wildlife Area's biggest assets we felt that we must be ahead of the game. Using Roy Johnson's expertise, a spec was drawn up to ensure that the design complied with the latest directives on accessibility and safety and the search was on to get quotations from appropriate contractors. Lynda Farrena also worked v hard on researching possible large companies/organisations who might be interested in sponsoring this type of project and then completing the copious forms required for the applications. At the same time, we decided that we would also seek funding to make the entrance gate arrangements more accessible to buggies and wheelchairs. We eventually decided to focus our energies on applications to the Awards ForAll Lottery Fund for the dipping platform and boardwalk and to the Orchid Trust for the entrance gate. As it turned out, we were spectacularly successful in every way and much sooner than we ever imagined with both projects achieving funding for 2012!
During 2011, we have also achieved our objectives of continuing the Yellow Rattle trial in the Wildflower Meadow and improving the hedge planting on our front boundary. So all in all, a v successful year!
On the northern boundary adjacent to Pirbright Cottages, the Association has continued to be 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 was finally resolved with its designation as a public footpath only and not as a BOAT. Secondly, an encroachment onto the land leased by the Association south of Brook Cottage which was eventually settled with the Association agreeing to a variation in our lease to allow GBC to sell the land which had been encroached upon. 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 in the future.
As always, we are very grateful to Pirbright Parish Council who continued 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 regular band of volunteers who keep the green path network mown and the site tidy. This has been supervised and led most efficiently by Roy Johnson and Nigel Emerson.
It is v encouraging to see how 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 receive appreciative emails and letters to cheer us on our way. On the social front, we had good weather for our Summer BBQ last July with both old and new members coming along. Our membership tally during 2011 was 177 members plus 36 U16s. Once again, almost every member has indicated a willingness to donate either time or money, the great proportion of which is gift-aided. More detail on this later from Julie Harland.
I need hardly say that we would always welcome suggestions from our members too.
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
April 2012