MINUTES OF THE STORT VALLEY PROJECT MEETING
2nd AUGUST 2000
HELD AT SAYSBURY
MANOR SAWBRIDGEWORTH
PRESENT: Warren Richards (Secretary & Acting Chairman)
APOLOGIES: David Thorogood (Agenda 21 EHDC)
MINUTES:
The minutes of the last meeting
were distributed at the meeting and accepted by all at the meeting.
MATTERS ARISING:
Solar Conference. Warren R and Ted B attended a Solar Conference at St George’s School, Harpenden. There were many examples of thermal and voltaic solar panels on display as well as wind generators and an electric bicycle with built in solar panel. There were a number of workshops with one “Building your own solar powered car”, which were raced at the end of the afternoon. The aim of the conference was to promote solar and other alternative energy sources in schools.
Dog Bins. Diana R reported that EHDC had agreed to put two bins along the towpath near Sheering Mill Lock and would pay for their emptying.
Flood Plain Definition. Warren R has written to the Environment Agency asking for a definition of a Flood Plain and a map showing limits of flooding along the Stort.
Bank Account. Michael V tabled an application form to open a Giro account for signature by the Chairman and Secretary.
A Logo. Warren R reported that Jacqueline D had prepared ten examples, the size of a 2p piece for members’ selection. Jacqueline was looking for support to prepare samples on a computer. Tony V offered support including sample printing.
Publicity. Steve K has supplied Monya B with A4 copy of advertising material, which she has put up around the Town. Additional sites were discussed:
AGENDA ITEMS:
1 Millfields. Monya B tabled a letter she had received from EHDC, which was in response to a letter asking about how much land would be safeguarded along the River Stort. As it was too early for EHDC to make any definite proposals members wished to propose an alternative site to Millfields. After much discussion it was agreed that areas 157/158 at Redricks Lane should be put forward as an alternative.
It was rumoured that the Millfields site had been used as a Plague pit, Sarah J to investigate.
2 Thorley Wash. Janet R reported that the meadows being considered as a freight yard were crossed by soft covered sewers. Two newspaper articles were tabled, one on the £185m investment by Railtrack on the Liverpool Street line out to Elsenham. The second a promise by Railtrack, developed with Prof David Bellamy, to protect natural habitats in their ownership and work with The Wildlife Trust and Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust in this area.
3 Our Forward Plan. John R put forward a set of targets to take us through to April 2001. He was keen that we applied for charitable status so we could raise funds locally and apply for matched funding to purchase land to ring the Town with wildlife sites.
4 Land Purchase in Essex. Warren R received a fax from Liz G giving a contact at The Essex Wildlife Trust who might consider buying land along the Stort Valley. Members asked the Secretary to write to the Essex Wildlife Trust.
5 AOB. The latest CPRE newsletter* was tabled.
Tony V offered to show members round the Sbw Angling Society’s fishing lake near Sbw Station, to be arranged with Diana R.
6. DNM. The 6th September 2000 at 8.00pm in Sayesbury Manor.
* Items held in SVP file in Reference section of Sbw Library.