By now, all members will have received a Renewal Notice for 2010/2011.

The only ones not to have received one are new members who have joined in the last few months.

Please let me have your remittance as soon as possible and avoid me having to issue a reminder which is both costly and very time consuming.

If you prefer, you can use the Paypal facility on this site to pay your subs. It is simple and safe to use. Just select your membership status in the box on the right of this page, click the ‘Pay Now’ button and then follow the instructions.

Simples!

Also, as you know, we are looking for a new Convener and Treasurer as the terms of Group mean that a Committee Member can serve for five years, after which they have to step down from the position they hold.

Both Isobel and Alan have come to the end of their respective terms.

So do we have any volunteers?

If so, please let Isobel or myself know.

Thanks.

Andrew

The next meeting of the Group is on

Thursday 25th.  March 2010
7.30 p.m.
Hallhill Healthy Living Centre.

The Agenda will include:

Information and question session for the public.
Felling – the aftermath, volume of work
Old Laundry
The Arts Weekend, 11th. & 12th. April
A.O.B.

All welcome.

STOP WORRYING ABOUT THE WOODS

Despite two public meetings, three newsletters (which were delivered by our members to EVERY house that is built around the woods) and various newspaper articles stating very clearly that 40% of trees would go from the woods, people are coming to us saying they are ‘shocked’ and ‘horrified’ and ‘how can we stop this’.

Here, once again for the avoidance of doubt, are the facts:

- Management of woods – ie thinning – should be carried out every 5 to 10 years, say all experts. Lochend Wood has had no thinning for 60 years.
- Our Management Plan was drawn up in 2000 by our own forestry expert Simon Bell. It was approved by the Forestry Commission.
- Please note – the STRONGEST TREES are left, and the weaker trees are taken away. After 60 years of competing with each other, we are left with tall skinny trees with weak crowns. These stronger trees will grow stronger still, and by the summer, we are assured by experts, their tops will grow bushier and green over to fill gaps.
- Thinning is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY for the long term health of the woodland. Air and light gets in between the gaps and generates growth on the forest floor.
- a small section of poor Sitka Spruce, close to gate to Lochend Cottage, is being clear felled. This will be replanted in the Autumn with native species, providing a more natural habitat for wildlife
- The Woodland Group have been awarded funding grants to improve paths, put up interpretive signs, and repair old broken drains. These grants were on condition we carry out the Management Plan.
- Work was due to start on 5 January. This was delayed till 23 February because our contractors were snowed in at their previous job. This is still a good time of year to carry out felling, since spring is still not quite with us after a hard winter.
- Birds do not start nesting till the end of March, some species later. 2 sections of felling are already complete.
Brush and small branches are being put in to piles after the machines leave the sections. this is good for providing hiding places for small creatures. This will eventually rot down.
- The work will be complete by the end of March.

And finally – WE NEED YOUR HELP.
This work will breath new life in to the woods, but there is much more work to be done.
we need as many volunteers as possible to make piles of the branches, to help the wildlife and to make the woods look tidier with less trip hazards.

Isobel Knox
Convener DCWG

Yes, today (Tuesday 23rd. February) saw the contractors move on to site and begin the long awaited felling and clearances.
They started on Kellie Road and will be moving next (we understand) into the woods adjacent to Middlemas Road and John Muir Crescent.

Watch this space for updates.

Work to start (at last!) sometime during week commencing 1st. February.

Tree felling at north end of John Muir Crescent has been completed. This was needed as the trees in question had been poisoned and has nothing to do with the work that is yet to be carried out.

Committee Meeting scheduled for 3rd. February has been cancelled.

Reminder: Public meeting to be held at Hallhill Sports Centre 2010 – 8.00 p.m. If you want to know more about the tree felling and thinning, we will have a Forestry Consultant in attendance to answer your questions.

Minutes of Meeting – 5th January, 2010
Hallhill Healthy Living Centre, Hallhill Estate, Dunbar, EH42 1RF
Present: Isobel Knox (Convenor), Andrew Morris, Philip Revell, Allan Kilpatrick, Ute Penny, Jacqui Bell, Simon Bell, Donald Grant, Jayne Chappell (Secretary),

1. Tree felling/thinning
Latest update from Mark Page is that the foresters may start next week at the laundry area, so he will be marking off the trees. IK reported that they are hiring someone to provide security around the area. SB confirmed that it would normally be the contractors who would provide the signs whilst the work was ongoing. IK stated that the machines would only be in operation when the schools were in and would be moved offsite at the end of the working day. Mark thinks they will take approximately 3 weeks and he will do 3 days/week whilst the work is ongoing.

Mark will look at a sample for ripple sycamore as Ralph Curry would be very interested in this.

There was a strong feeling that the public meeting should be held once the work has started. A date of 20th January at 8pm at Hallhill was agreed for the new public meeting and whilst SB would be out of the country Mark Page has volunteered to help. AK will add articles to the DCWG and Dunbar Community websites.

2. Work Days
Scheduled for the 1st Sunday in every month (March through to September) with the work being carried out specified on each date. 7th February will be the litter pick which will go ahead even though IK will not be here. JB will contact Stuart Pryde at the Council regarding the rubbish uplift . Heavy duty black bin bags are needed which it is hoped ASDA will provide. It was also agreed to offer a prize for the most unusual ‘litter’ found to help generate interest from volunteers and to use as a publicity opportunity. IK to give AM McCann’s email at the Courier.

AK agreed to head up the litter pick day in Isobel’s absence.

Grabbers and hoops are now available for the litter pick – thanks to FCS ‘WIAT’ funding

3. Finances
AK and IK met with Colin Shand for an informal discussion and IK reported AK and CS seemed happy with the outcome. The group discussed tightening the current system to enable invoices to be paid efficiently and suggestion was that if invoices could be emailed, they could then be forwarded to CS ensuring they were less likely to be lost and that IK would have a backup copy.

4. Osprey Signs
IK has received final proof of the signs, which include a lockable noticeboard, today although she has been unable to access as yet.

5. Buildings
Cllr Paul McLennan has said it would cost £9K to stabilise the old laundry, which AK thought was a reasonable price, and the group discussed submitting a bid to Viridor for the funds. PR would raise this at DCDC meeting, since buildings in the woodland are their responsibility. AK stated that once done it would need regular maintenance including lime mortar repointing every 10-15 years.

A discussion took place about what to do with the other (listed) ruin which is in a more dangerous condition and whether it would be possible to reclaim the missing arch now that the Woodland Group owned the land and its safety could be guaranteed. As a starting point, it was suggested contacting a Heritage Scotland inspector to see if they would support this.

From this discussion, the group asked IK to check with Mark Page to ensure he has taken the ruins and a ‘sensitivity margin’ into consideration in relation to the tree work.

DG asked if there were any plans for the wall which is in distress in places and particularly North of Lochend Cottages, Hallhill farmhouse and Moray Avenue. It was confirmed that the wall was not listed though an original feature and belonged to DCDC so therefore not DCWG’s specific responsibility although the Group is still responsible for the ransom strip. It would be expensive to repair (Asda’s wall cost £300/metre) and a suggestion was made to reuse the mortar and undertake training in repairing within the group through a volunteering training course with the Forestry Commission. PR to inform DCDC of concerns about the wall at their next meeting.

6. January Newsletter
IK to update article in newsletter to say the tree felling work will start ‘weather permitting’, promote new public meeting date (20th Jan, at 8pm, Hallhill) and to advertise a prize for the most unusual litter found on the litter pick day.

Volunteer distributors were requested and it was thought sensible that everyone would do the same area as they previously had.

7. Storage/operation of equipment
Alternative storage facilities that are dry, secure and easily accessible were discussed for DCWG equipment as currently IK has the marquee, wheelbarrows, strimmers and litter pick equipment stored in her house. UP will investigate the storage available at West Barns Lights

Allan reported a new 20 foot container would be £1200-1500 and a 40 foot one would be £1500-2000. All agreed it would be useful to have a container but thought would still have to go into where the container would go, with the ideal location being close to the woods.

A longer term solution could be the laundry. Or, Donald suggested that there were moves to have a community garden nearby which would require a shed.

AK offered to store the signs in the short term, till installation on 7 March.

It was also suggested that a request for short term storage for the equipment be made in the newsletter.

The operation of the petrol strimmers was discussed (IK to check if they came with harnesses ) and it was agreed to trial them on 7th March

8. Marquee event
The Group decided to hold an event in the new 4×6 marquee at Easter possibly in the gathering space by the walnut tree. As it would be for Easter, a series of activities around eggs was suggested (Lee/Deborah and AK have plastic eggs).

9. Finances
As IK and AM have used their own car for DCWG mileage it was agreed that reimbursement be paid at a rate of 20p/mile. JC to send AK a copy of an expenses claim form.

10. Calendar
UP will take the lead on developing a DCWG calendar for 2011 to feature photos of all aspects of flora and fauna in the woodlands. This will include a competition advertised through the newsletter/website to encourage people to send in their photos with the winners will being featured and credited in the calendar. This would promote community involvement and act as a fundraiser. Photos to be sent to IK with 31 August as the deadline for entries.

11. AOB
- IK reported that there is no community noticeboard at Asda and it was agreed that JC would send a formal letter to the Manager to suggest this.
- PR gave out copies of the Sustaining Dunbar newsletter

Date of Next meeting – Wednesday 3rd February, 8pm, Hallhill

Update:

Foresters start date now more likely to be week commencing 25 Jan

Public meeting date confirmed as Tues 9 February

Sunday 7th. February – Annual Litter Pick & Spring Clean.
(Meet at The Stone – corner of Middlemas and Kellie Roads at 1.00 p.m.)
· Please bring your own protective gloves
· Litter-grabber wands will be supplied
· Bin bags will be supplied – (by ASDA?)
· We will be separating recyclables.
A rewarding activity. 100 bin bags filled every year – experience the feel good factor!
Great family pursuit – kids learn about collective responsibility & community spirit.
Prize for the most unusual object found!

Woodland Work Days – The first Sunday each month.
(Always meet at The Stone)
Sunday 7 March, 1pm – erection of signs
Sunday 4 April, 1pm – EASTER EVENT
Sunday 2nd May, 1pm – tidying
Sunday 6th June, 1pm – strimming, pruning
Sunday 4th July, 1pm – pond work
Sunday 1st August, 1pm – strimming
Sunday 5th Sept, 1pm – tree planting

Please Note:TREE FELLING will commence in Lochend Wood, w/c 25 January
(weather permitting)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
If you want to know more about the THINNING & FELLING please ask our Forestry Consultant on Tues 9 FEBRUARY 2010, 8.00 pm, at Hallhill Sports Centre.
Tell us about trees of concern to YOU.

The Woodland Group are hoping to publish a Calendar for 2011 and need photographs of the Woods for it.

Members (and Non Members) are invited to submit photographs that they have taken of the woods to Isobel Knox at convenor@dunbarwoods.org

The winning entries will be published in the Calendar with suitable credits.

It now seems likely that the December start to the major works will not happen as hoped. The contractors have been seriously delayed due to weather conditions on their current contract and it looks as if it will mean a delay until well into January.

The work is scheduled to last for around six weeks.

A more detailed description of the work to be completed can be seen under Simon Bell’s Report to the A.G.M.

This report forms part of the Minutes (Item 6) and can be seen under the A.G.M. Report lower down on this page.