Minutes of our Committee Meeting at 7.30pm on October 11th 2023
1. Apologies: David Webster (DW) & Elizabeth Brown (EB)
Present: Ben Shepherd (BS), Joyce Craig (JC), Robert McKay (RMcK), Gail Herrigan (GH), Michael Herrigan (MH) & Linda Whiteside (LW).
BS advised that due to his pressing commitments, both professional and voluntary, he felt unable to continue to be our quarterly, rotating convenor. We noted that Ben had, post our last AGM, volunteered to convene for the first quarter and had extended that term to the benefit of our society.
RMcK volunteered to be our chair for this meeting and the succeeding quarter. The Committee unanimously agreed.
2. Approval of minutes of last meeting: proposed by GH and seconded by RMcK.
3. Matters Arising:
Actions:
No update with regard to the Farmers Market.
The tree survey idea is still under development.
The bluebell planting has been completed and the Trust has received very positive feedback from the local schools involved in the project.
An “I Dig Trees” planting event is to take place on 25/11/2023 with the probable assistance of TCV.
The detail of the post graduate feasibility study on a café in Victoria Park was noted and appreciated.
VPCT are consulting with the residents of Victoria Park Drive North, due to the concerns expressed by a couple of residents with regard to the bio-diversity garden. We note that a couple of other residents have expressed support for the project.
VPCT’s AGM is on the 18/10/2023.
5. Fossil Grove & Volunteer Activities e.g., weeding, litter picking etc.:
The next volunteer day is scheduled for 21/10/2023.
6. Events:
The remembrance day wreath has been ordered. It was noted that Poppy Scotland is still unable to supply biodegradable wreaths. Though, we note that biodegradable buttonhole poppies are now available.
JC advised that the White Poppy Movement, who Remember all victims of war, including both civilians and members of the armed forces. May have them available. An online search confirmed that they did.
The Committee agreed that we would consider sourcing our wreath from the White Poppy Movement.
Yev Gorash has verbally agreed to speak at our Remembrance Sunday Event.
Action: MH to contact Yev Gorash to confirm his participation in our Remembrance Sunday Event.
Actions: GH to pursue bench procurement and park twinning with a Ukrainian park.
7. Communications:
Action: RMcK agreed to put agreed minutes on the web site.
8. Tree, Wildlife, Wildflower and Maintenance Issues:
The Committee considered the costs presented by GH with regard to a bench by the main gates. We discussed one dedicated to the Ukrainian struggle against the Russian invasion or Partick Burgh colours. The Committee agreed to proceed with one in the National Colours of Ukraine, blue and yellow.
David Ogilvie Engineering Ltd of Kilmarnock can supply a plain steel bench for £900. One in the Ukrainian national colours at £1,300. The committee agreed to procure a bench in the Ukrainian national colours, to be positioned at the main gates.
We still actively support twinning with a Ukrainian park. We await further GCC advice.
A new pair of swans has arrived at the main pond.
Bird box cleaning by RMcK and LW is to take place on 12/10/2023.
The committee agreed to purchase a camera for a wildlife camera trap for approximately £50.
Action: RMcK to purchase a camera at the above noted costs.
9. Finance & Membership:
Our current membership is still 95.
Our current balance is £7,138. There is £570, in outstanding bills, to be deducted from the total leaving £6,568 in available funds.
Currently £2,700 of this is allocated to the fernery project; £1,000 to a tree survey; £500 of this is the McCrea donation. The committee previously agreed that an amount of £1,000 should be retained to enable the society to remain solvent and meet our ongoing commitments.
MH advised that with the cost of the Ukraine bench at £1,300 included in funds allocated the society would have only £68 pounds remaining, when the above is taken into account and that of the fernery comprised of Area Partnership grants and the Fossil Grove Trust grant, which could not be re-purposed.
JC advised that Area Partnership money could be re-purposed as long as they were spent on projects beneficial to the park.
The Committee agreed that as there were no immediate plans to plant ferns. The Area Partnership Fernery money could be used to purchase the Ukraine bench.
10. AOCB:
BS complimented Derek of Clyde Bat Groups for his very informative and interesting bat walk.
Action: BS to contact Derek and request that he conducts another walk for us next year.
11. Date and time of next meeting:
The date and place of our next meeting is tbc but will be at 7:30 pm, 3/1, 895 Dumbarton Road, G11 6NA.
1. Apologies: David Webster (DW) & Elizabeth Brown (EB)
Present: Ben Shepherd (BS), Joyce Craig (JC), Robert McKay (RMcK), Gail Herrigan (GH), Michael Herrigan (MH) & Linda Whiteside (LW).
BS advised that due to his pressing commitments, both professional and voluntary, he felt unable to continue to be our quarterly, rotating convenor. We noted that Ben had, post our last AGM, volunteered to convene for the first quarter and had extended that term to the benefit of our society.
RMcK volunteered to be our chair for this meeting and the succeeding quarter. The Committee unanimously agreed.
2. Approval of minutes of last meeting: proposed by GH and seconded by RMcK.
3. Matters Arising:
Actions:
- DW to contact Kevin re the maintenance fee, of £50 p.a. is ongoing. Action RMcK to contact DW.
- RMcK to raise the neglect of the playpark at the next quarterly meeting with GCC. Due to concerns, see below, regarding the functioning of the Participation Agreement, the action below was agreed. Action: RMcK to contact the councillors of ward 12, regarding our concerns with the playpark and the Participation Agreement.
- BS & MH to attend one of Cindi’s healthy walks is ongoing.
- RMcK to contact a GalGael Trust regarding the above. He has contacted them but received no response to date. RMcK to chase. RMcK has chased, no response, action closed.
- All to source a trumpet and or bagpipe player for Remembrance Sunday, ongoing.
- RMcK advised that he could put a post on our FaceBook for Remembrance Sunday, ongoing.
- MH to send wording to RMcK for post, ongoing.
- GH to order the wreath, completed.
- Action: MH to contact Yevgen Gorash and Colin McGeoch re the memorial bench. Completed.
- Action: RMcK to obtain a quote for a camera trap. Quote obtained for circa £50, completed.
No update with regard to the Farmers Market.
The tree survey idea is still under development.
The bluebell planting has been completed and the Trust has received very positive feedback from the local schools involved in the project.
An “I Dig Trees” planting event is to take place on 25/11/2023 with the probable assistance of TCV.
The detail of the post graduate feasibility study on a café in Victoria Park was noted and appreciated.
VPCT are consulting with the residents of Victoria Park Drive North, due to the concerns expressed by a couple of residents with regard to the bio-diversity garden. We note that a couple of other residents have expressed support for the project.
VPCT’s AGM is on the 18/10/2023.
5. Fossil Grove & Volunteer Activities e.g., weeding, litter picking etc.:
The next volunteer day is scheduled for 21/10/2023.
6. Events:
The remembrance day wreath has been ordered. It was noted that Poppy Scotland is still unable to supply biodegradable wreaths. Though, we note that biodegradable buttonhole poppies are now available.
JC advised that the White Poppy Movement, who Remember all victims of war, including both civilians and members of the armed forces. May have them available. An online search confirmed that they did.
The Committee agreed that we would consider sourcing our wreath from the White Poppy Movement.
Yev Gorash has verbally agreed to speak at our Remembrance Sunday Event.
Action: MH to contact Yev Gorash to confirm his participation in our Remembrance Sunday Event.
Actions: GH to pursue bench procurement and park twinning with a Ukrainian park.
7. Communications:
Action: RMcK agreed to put agreed minutes on the web site.
8. Tree, Wildlife, Wildflower and Maintenance Issues:
The Committee considered the costs presented by GH with regard to a bench by the main gates. We discussed one dedicated to the Ukrainian struggle against the Russian invasion or Partick Burgh colours. The Committee agreed to proceed with one in the National Colours of Ukraine, blue and yellow.
David Ogilvie Engineering Ltd of Kilmarnock can supply a plain steel bench for £900. One in the Ukrainian national colours at £1,300. The committee agreed to procure a bench in the Ukrainian national colours, to be positioned at the main gates.
We still actively support twinning with a Ukrainian park. We await further GCC advice.
A new pair of swans has arrived at the main pond.
Bird box cleaning by RMcK and LW is to take place on 12/10/2023.
The committee agreed to purchase a camera for a wildlife camera trap for approximately £50.
Action: RMcK to purchase a camera at the above noted costs.
9. Finance & Membership:
Our current membership is still 95.
Our current balance is £7,138. There is £570, in outstanding bills, to be deducted from the total leaving £6,568 in available funds.
Currently £2,700 of this is allocated to the fernery project; £1,000 to a tree survey; £500 of this is the McCrea donation. The committee previously agreed that an amount of £1,000 should be retained to enable the society to remain solvent and meet our ongoing commitments.
MH advised that with the cost of the Ukraine bench at £1,300 included in funds allocated the society would have only £68 pounds remaining, when the above is taken into account and that of the fernery comprised of Area Partnership grants and the Fossil Grove Trust grant, which could not be re-purposed.
JC advised that Area Partnership money could be re-purposed as long as they were spent on projects beneficial to the park.
The Committee agreed that as there were no immediate plans to plant ferns. The Area Partnership Fernery money could be used to purchase the Ukraine bench.
10. AOCB:
BS complimented Derek of Clyde Bat Groups for his very informative and interesting bat walk.
Action: BS to contact Derek and request that he conducts another walk for us next year.
11. Date and time of next meeting:
The date and place of our next meeting is tbc but will be at 7:30 pm, 3/1, 895 Dumbarton Road, G11 6NA.
Minutes of our Committee Meeting at 7.30pm on 13th September 2023
1. Apologies: David Webster & Ben Shepherd
Present: Joyce Craig (JC), Robert McKay (RMcK), Elizabeth Brown (EB), Gail Herrigan (GH), Michael Herrigan (MH) & Linda Whiteside (LW).
2. Approval of minutes of last meeting: proposed by RMcK and seconded by JC.
3. Matters Arising:
Actions:
- DW to contact Kevin re the maintenance fee, of £50 p.a. is ongoing.
- RMcK to raise the neglect of the playpark at the next quarterly meeting with GCC: the action was carried at the quarterly meeting, ongoing
- Action: proof copy of the heritage has been provided. We are to check all happy and advise DW ASAP so he can proceed with his quote for 500 leaflets. The support of McCrea financial services is to be noted on the leaflet. RMcK will add. Action completed and leaflet printed.
- Action: BS & MH to attend one of Cindi’s healthy walks is ongoing.
- Action: RMcK to contact a GalGael Trust regarding the above. He has contacted them but received no response to date. RMcK to chase. RMcK has chased, no response, action closed.
We noted the success of the event. Numbers were hard to assess, as people came and went but were easily into three figures over the day and possibly in excess of 200.
FoVP supports another such event next year. We have also discussed the AUGB involvement with our Remembrance Sunday Event.
- Action: MH to advise BS of agreed date for bat walk of 04/10/2023. Action completed.
- Actions: RMcK to contact the recovery group at WCC & all to review amended wording of our Safeguarding Policy: completed
We may be assisted by the Warriors with fruit tree planting. The details are to be confirmed. Steve Nelson and Richard East met the Warriors re community engagement.
422 trees are to be planted on the perimeter of the park adjacent to Victoria Park Drive South. These have been sourced under the “I Dig Trees” initiative. These should provide a low edge to the park, separating it from the traffic on Victoria Park Drive South.
The improvements to the “Still Game” bench have been approved.
Next week there will be blue bell planting with the involvement of local schools.
The acquisition of a container for VPCT equipment is still under discussion.
Funding sources are being explored by GCC for the replacement of the toilet block.
The dirt track in the blaes pitches area is to go to tender this month. VPCT is to have sight of GCC’s plan.
The repair to the main gates has been costed at £5K.
Pallets have been obtained for bug hotels. VPCT is aware of an objection from one of the residents opposite in Victoria Park Drive North.
Only Shaw Anderson from GCC attended the last quarterly Participation Agreement meeting and he is due for retirement.
5. Fossil Grove & Volunteer Activities e.g., weeding, litter picking etc.:
The possibility of a volunteer day next Monday or Tuesday afternoon was raised.
The Fossil House is to be open this Sunday.
A fire to one of the bins is being investigated by the police. The affected bin is still in situ.
The formation of a single tired SCIO for the Fossil Grove Trust has been approved.
6. Events:
Doors Open Days is fully organised for the Heritage Walk and the Fossil House.
See above re Ukraine Family Fun Day.
Richard East gave a presentation about Heritage Trees at the National Park City event. A bid, which FoVP supports, is being put in for Glasgow to be awarded National Park City status.
Yevgen Gorash has agreed to speak at our next Remembrance Sunday Event that is to take place on Sunday 12/11/2023.
Action: all to source a trumpet and or bagpipe player for the event.
RMcK advised that he could put a post on our FaceBook.
Actions: MH to send wording to RMcK for post and GH to order the wreath.
7. Communications: an update to information on the web site is planned.
8. Tree, Wildlife, Wildflower and Maintenance Issues:
A memorial bench dedicated to Ukraine’s struggle in the present war had the approval of the committee. We will seek the AUGB’s advice re the appropriate design.
Action: MH to contact Yevgen Gorash and Colin McGeoch re the above.
Half of the beds for the mining bees have been weeded as part of a Duke of Edinburgh Award project.
GCC has again cut an area of wild flower planting in error.
LW has seeds from the Holy Isle for planting the bee beds.
Bench at the main gates discussed. This could be a use for the McCrea Financial Services funds.
Action: GH to price a bench for the main gates in the old Partick Burgh colours.
Wildlife trap camera discussed.
Action: RMcK to obtain a quote.
9. Finance & Membership:
Our current membership is 95.
10. AOCB:
Expressway improvements have been included in the Liveable Neighbourhoods proposal
We noted our thanks to the police for coming to the Ukrainian Family Fun Day on their day off.
11. Date and time of next meeting:
The date and place of our next meeting is 7:30 pm, 11/10/2023 at the Three Craws, Crow Road.