Environmental Enhancement Working Group Meeting February 8th
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Minutes of the meeting of the Environmental Enhancement Working Group held on Thursday, 8 February 2007 at Nenthead Mines Cafe at 1.30 pm
[edit] Present
- Tom Bell (Alston Moor Partnership)
- Sue Bennett (Eden Community Outdoors)
- Simon Danby (Local resident)
- Nicola Davidson (Eden District Council)
- Alan Houghton (Eden District Council)
- Pat Godwin (Fairhill Recreation Grounds Trust)
- Chris Johnson (Alston Moor Partnership)
- Paul Mercer (North Pennines Heritage Trust)
- Emma Murnane (Cumbria Rural Enterprise Partnership)
- Dick Phillips (Local resident)
[edit] Apologies
Nick Badcock, Chris Jones, Sally Orrell, Peter Samson.
[edit] Minutes of the last meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 9 November 2007 were approved as a correct record. Proposed by Simon Danby and seconded by Tom Bell.
[edit] Matters Arising
[edit] 2a 5c/NOV/06 Family history project
Paul reported that Nenthead Mines have bought two computers with internet access, with the intent to build up a North Pennines family history archive. There are a lot of resources that can potentially be used including parish and census records, church and non-conformist records. Paul still intends to call a meeting of interested people.
[edit] 2b 2a/OCT/06 Allotment space
Simon said that he would be interested in discussing the possibility of using the field beside the loaning walls for allotments with the owner.
[edit] Project updates
[edit] 3a Cast Iron Signpost project
Chris reported that the project is well underway, following a successful bid by the parish council to Awards for All. Contact has been made with Capita to discuss moving the Townfoot signpost across the road so that the missing fingerpost can be re-instated. Chris has some concerns about costs for this, but has to wait until the site is confirmed before costings can be made.
[edit] 3b Tree planting, Garrigill Recreation Grounds
Chris reported that the 50 trees donated to celebrate the 50 years of AONBs' are to go to Garrigill Recreation Grounds and Fairhill Recreation Grounds. Iris Glimmerman from East Cumbria Countryside Project has offered to help with determining quantities, as it was thought that there would be room to create a small spinney at Garrigill on the site of the old playarea. The site will need fencing for protection from the sheep that graze the field, and Chris asked if the group would be willing to transfer the funds allocated to the circular walk to this project. It was confirmed that at present there are no definite plans for spending this allocation at present.
Resolved to re-allocate funding from the circular walk to tree planting and fencing. Proposed by Tom Bell and seconded by Dick Phillips. Chris added that the Pennine Pioneers and Garrigill Youth Club were interested in helping out with tree planting.
[edit] 3c Haggs Mineshop
Paul reported that the Nenthead Mines board of trustees have been in discussion with the Catholic Trust, who own the land Haggs Mineshop stands on. He did not think an approach has been made to the land registry yet, as there are some issues to iron out first. It was agreed that Chris would ask Sally Orrell to contact Harry James to see if she could help in moving things along.
[edit] 3d Planning for Ragwort Week/Litter picking
Simon reported that last years effort resulted in the removal of a lot of ragwort by a few local volunteers and the unpaid work team, but as the plant is bi-annual further work will be needed this year. The team concentrated on Alston, so Nenthead and Garrigill are untouched as yet. There were also some initial difficulties with Eden District Council removing the collected ragwort, but this was largely resolved by making use of residents green bins. It was agreed that the group would support another ragwort week/month this summer, probably one week later than last year.
Simon has started a discussion on Cybermoor inviting people to nominate litter-strewn areas around Alston. Responses so far suggest that there are problems around the top and bottom of the town. Chris reported that Antonia Allen is concerned about the paths near the railway and has offered to take part in a litter pick if one is organised.
[edit] 3e Pennine Pioneers
As Sue had been unable to give a report on Pennine Pioneers to the last AMP meeting, it was agreed to include this as an extra agenda item.
Sue reported that one of the aims of Eden Community Outdoors is to encourage youngsters to explore the area they live in. Since the project started the Alston group have stayed overnight in a yurt, taken part in Garrigill fireshow, camped overnight at Greg’s Hut and gone down the mine at Smallcleugh. The young people are planning their own activities and want to go canoeing on the South Tyne and have planned to finish the year with a four day walk. ECO will also be holding a summer camp over the school holidays and are planning to take the Alston group across to Appleby to meet some of the people involved there.
What happens when the project ends depends on whether local people want it to continue. Rebecca has said she is willing to put funding bids together, but will be leaving for a couple of months at the end of March. Chris and Sue to discuss funding at the end of the meeting.
[edit] Follow up discussion on alternative energy projects
Chris reported that Nick Badcock and Sally Orrell had expressed interest in alternative energy projects, but were not available during the day due to work commitments. She circulated an e-mail from Nick, who is involved with a Scottish renewable energy project, and is interested in getting involved in a possible spin-off group to investigate the potential of doing something similar in Alston.
[edit] 4a Energy/environmental advice
Emma reported that CREA are offering free advice to businesses on reducing their energy and waste disposal costs.
[edit] 4b Biomass
Peter reported that Killhope Mines have been looking at the feasibility of biomass systems, as have the Blanchland Trust, who are also interested in wind energy.
[edit] 4c Wind energy
It was reported that a company called Ecotricity, involved 100% in renewable energy schemes with community benefits, are looking for suitable sites for wind energy schemes. If there is any interest locally an interest could be registered.
[edit] 4d Ground source heat pumps
Noted that Gamblesby village hall is using this technology.
[edit] Saving the red squirrel – request for squirrel ropeway on Hartside road
Chris reported that the Neighbourhood Development Officers were contacted by a local resident, Mr Graham asking about funding to put a squirrel ropeway across the Hartside road, near Brownside House. It was agreed that AMP could apply for funding, but need evidence as to why the ropeway is needed at this point. Chris was asked to speak to Rita to suggest that Mr Graham contact Colin Simms, and get back to the group if he wishes to pursue his request.
[edit] Cycle path along STRPS railway line
Tom reported that the STRPS have discussed the South Tyne Trail from Alston to Kirkhaugh with Cumbria County Council, who are wiling for the footpath to be made up to a standard suitable for cyclists. The path needs improving, and fencing erected besides the railway, after which Tom hopes they will be prepared to take over and maintain. In the meantime STRPS are pursing funding from various sources, and have contacted contractors to discuss new drainage and fencing. All being well they will make a start September to October this year.
Resolved to ask AMP chairman Richard Turner to write is support of funding applications to upgrade the footpath to a permissive cycleway from Alston to Kirkhaugh. Proposed by Tom Bell and seconded by Dick Phillips.
[edit] Any Other Business
[edit] 7a Letter to AMBA
Simon reported that he had been sent a copy of a letter from Lowbyer Manor to Alston Moor Business Association, expressing concern about various environmental issues. Suggested they be invited to attend the next meeting.
[edit] 7b Old dam at Fairhill Recreation Grounds
Pat reported that that the trustees have been working with East Cumbria Countryside Project to regenerate the old dam on Fairhill, and create walkways through it. Chris Jones from the North Pennines AONB Partnership had also suggested that an archaeological survey be carried out before starting work on the project. It was agreed that the group would recommend supporting funding applications for this purpose.
[edit] Date of Next Meeting
Thursday 17 May, venue to be arranged, either Alston Town Hall or Garrigill Village Hall.
[edit] ACTION POINTS
- Family history project: PM
- Potential allotments: SD
- Contact Sally Orrell re: Haggs Mineshop: CJ
- Ragwort week/moth : SD
- Litter pick: SD/AMPC
- Discuss continuation funding Pennine Pioneers : SB/CJ
- Follow-up request for funding squirrel ropeway: CJ/RS
- Letter of support re: permissive cycleway STRPS: TB/RT
The meeting closed at 3 pm
