2011 AGM
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the RMGT held on 19th May 2011
Present: Andrew Fermor (Chair), Peter Davidson-Smith, John Dolwin, Mike Foley, Robert Harris, Barry Hawkins, Ray Jackson, Richard Mann, Kevin Myers, Katharine Stanley, Michael White, John Richardson and our guest speaker, John Withall, and about 25 members of the public.
Apologies: Frank Alexander.
1. The Secretary, John Richardson, read out the Minutes of the 2010 AGM.
2. Treasurer, Kevin Miles presented and explained the audited accounts for the year ending 31st December 2010. (You can view these in the “Accounts” page of this web-site). He said that it was a good year for income with welcome donations from our Friends, the RPA and our village Bonfire Society.
We had spent more this year than in 2009 on necessary maintenance and improvements, but we work hard to keep costs down. Jeremy Cornford had kindly agreed to audit the accounts.
3. In his Chairman’s report, Andrew welcomed everyone. His full report is attached below.
4. Following this, our guest speaker, John Withall, from the Millennium Seed Bank, gave a most interesting illustrated talk.
John Richardson (Hon. Sec.)
2010 AGM
The Trust’s AGM was held on 23 June 2010 in Rotherfield Village Hall at 7.30pm. To celebrate the Trust’s 10th Anniversary, the website was officially launched, and John Dolwin cut the birthday cake. A speech was given by Environmental Journalist Sarah Lewis-Hammond on the importance of green spaces in our towns and cities.
Parish Magazine November 2009
The last month or so has seen us doing some last maintenance work before winter sets in. Hedge cutting in the formal areas is now finished and it was particularly good to see the hedge around the car park cut by Wealden District Council, as the hedge and the bank below it were becoming very overgrown.
This year we left mowing Springfield and Upper Wallis very late, so next year it will have to be done in July to avoid the untidiness, especially in the apple orchard.
Water plants thrive in our pond, and clearing some of the growth is becoming a regular biennial task. It is important to retain a substantial area of clear water to encourage plant growth and wildlife.
You may have seen that a new path has been created, linking into the Green from the permissive path. It has been fenced in to allow those who wish to avoid the cattle to walk safely from New Road across the Green without being troubled by them. Next year the grazing area will be divided into two halves. With appropriate signage those who wish to miss the cattle will be able to do so.
A new dog bin has been set up by the Twitten. As ever we urge all walking their dogs on the Green to pick up their dogs’ deposits, to keep the Green healthy for all.
Finally, we have started work on our new website, which we hope will be up and running in the New Year. The website will include wildlife and plant surveys, news and events as well as much more. As the site develops, we will keep you updated.
Parish Magazine February 2010
The weather has utterly transformed the Millennium Green into a snowy paradise. The trees laden with snow made the boardwalk seem like a winter tunnel, and the icicles on the waterfall were beautiful.
Many people took advantage of this, and snowmen can still be seen keeping sentry in the fields and amongst the apple trees. Alas it is all starting to melt, and will no doubt become very muddy over the next few weeks, but it was a beautiful sight to admire.
Some of you may have noticed that the yew tree by the Twitten has died. Heather Nettleton has kindly agreed to donate a new yew tree to replace it. The new tree has been propagated from the ancient yew in the churchyard by Bill Troy. The tree will need to grow a bit more before we can plant it, but it will be a welcome addition to the Green. We would like to express our gratitude to Heather for this kind donation.
This year the Millennium Green Trust will be celebrating its 10th Anniversary. We are hoping to have a special guest speaker at our AGM on 6th May.
To coincide with the Trust’s 10th Anniversary year, we will be launching our website www.rotherfieldmillenniumgreen.co.uk. The site is currently under construction, and will include pages about the wildlife, the history of the Green, our projects and a feedback page for you to add your comments and photos to.
Finally, on behalf of all the Trustees, we would like to wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year.