Berwick Wildlife Group

Present: Fiona Aungier, Leslie Cook, Molly Hardie, Malcolm Hutcheson, John Inglis, John Rae, Enid Turnbull, M. Williams.

Apologies:

Items	Subject	Decisions to Make	Outcome
1	Minutes of last meeting	Agreed?	Agreed
2	Matters arising not below	Discuss briefly.	LC requested clarification of whereabouts of the bottom half of group’s money tin. No great problem – at least we have the money, can find another tin .
3	Recent events.	Oct. 8th – Farnes. M Hardie has written to speaker and for Advertiser and Newsletter. Nov. 12th - St Abbs. Kevin Rideout.	Oct. 8th – Farnes. Another first class event. M Hardie has written to thank the speaker and produced an article for Advertiser and Newsletter. Nov. 12th - St Abbs. Kevin Rideout. Unfortunately Kevin's car broke down in Stirling, so FA filled in with some plant slides. Kevin Rideout has kindly agreed to talk instead at next AGM on ‘What to See at St. Abbs This Summer’.
4	Forthcoming events.	M Hardie has solved problem with Borderevents website. 10th Dec. Big Cats. Richard Wales. Need poster. Also punch and mince pies.	M Hardie has solved problem with Borderevents website. 10th Dec. Big Cats. Richard Wales has been asked for a big cat pic. for the poster or info. on where to get one. LC to organise glasses; FA to get mincepies; JR to organise punch. Tea and coffee will be available.
5	Berwick is Brilliant on 14th Jan.	Begin plans, finalise 7th Jan.	Begin plans, finalise 7th Jan. Invitation list to include teachers, wildlife organisations, local interest groups, councillors and local govt. officers, current year’s speakers, etc.FA to organise display stands and availability of projector. Wildlife photos were requested plus details of next year’s activities. Elizabeth to do squirrel display, M Hutcheson to organise BTO material, FA Cocklawburn photos, JR beaches,LC bats, FA has material on trees, butterflies and bees. Info. on BWG lobbying to be displayed. ET to get savouries; JR punch.
6	Save our Squirrels	Squirrel Group have decided on separate bank account.	Elizabeth Bamford again produced an excellent and detailed report. Four surveys completed recently. Two new areas of reds reported. Lots of squirrel feeding activity in Swinhoe. Some areas on the Till are designated red protection areas. Squirrel Group has decided to open its own bank account.
7	Borders Butterflies	Brilliant new e-newsletter.	Brilliant new e-newsletter was circulated to group. Barry Prater’s e-address can be put on BWG website so that readers can contact him for copies.
8	Old Coal Yard	Letter to Developers – no reply so far.	Letter to Developers is still to be sent.
9	Cocklawburn	Letter to Jo Wilkes.	FA’s letter to Jo Wilkes regarding grazing on the dunes was read out to the satisfaction of the committee.
10	N. Gas Networks.	Delighted to get grant. Should get money (generously, all of it plus odd pence) soon.	Very encouraging letter received and BWG delighted with offer of grant.
11	Membership list : computer lists?	Paragraph in last Newsletter. OK?	All members appear to be happy with the arrangement.
12	Lugworm digging Little Beach	JI's letter to Brian Douglas.	FA read out JI's letter to Brian Douglas who has replied that the situation is being monitored in a low key manner. Discussion followed on what, if anything, could be done to prevent escalation of digging. FA to check on SSSI boundary and criteria, then write to Phil Davey of Natural England as appropriate.
13	Any other business	.	A JR thanked for producing a very comprehensive butterfly report. B Margaret Shaw is looking into getting trees at Tappee Fen killed and left standing for wildlife benefits. C FA to draft document to go to local authority delineating areas important for wildlife. D M Hutcheson has worked with Alan Johnson in deciding how to plant native flora round Spa Well, Spittal. E JI reported that about 30 trees, mainly sycamore, on south side of Tweed had been marked and were probably intended for felling. F JR reported on the recent AONB Forum. Marine Bill to be put to parliament shortly. The Coastal Footpath and associated ‘spreading room’ aimed at giving access to the entire English coast is causing concern in some quarters as decisions re. its route are entirely at the discretion of local authorities, and landowners will have no right of appeal. FA to write Tom Cadwallander (AONB) to get BWG on consultation list. G JR NWT is organising a major biodiversity survey on Holy Island next spring. H LC DEFRA-commissioned Shoreline Management Plan; FA to arrange for BWG to be involved in consultation process. I FA Anne Yeomans requested BWG support against chalets to be built at White Hall, Chirnside. FA to consult with Scottish Wildlife Trust. J FA Barry Smith supplied ‘phone number to ring in support of Reston’s wildlife project. FA has circulated it for those who wish to participate.
14	Date/venue of next Meeting	7th January, Castle Hotel, 7.00pm.	.