FRIENDS OF ROMILEY PARK
Minutes of the Meeting held on 1 November 2022 at 10.00am at Romiley Life Centre
Present: - Tracey Adams, Philippa Bonorino, Beryl and Alan Smith, Terry Holmes, Jean Bartlett,
Apologies: Pam Reed, Abdulnaser Alshurbaji, John Young, Anne Granby, Damian Fairbrother Jones, Debbie Barraclough, Glenys Backhouse
1. Minutes of the meeting on 2 November 2021 were accepted as a correct record.
2. Matters arising from the minutes – Sign for the Compstall Rd entrance - there has still been no action, so Tracey will follow this up again. TA
- Thanks to Jean for organising the Christmas meal and the AGM meal. It was good to be able to celebrate together again.
3. Treasurer’s Report
4. The balance is £2573.54. There were no transactions in February.
5. Action Plan
• Wildflower meadow – A few bulbs have appeared. The grass needs to be cut to 10cm in April / May and then wildflower plugs planted. The secretary will liaise with Anthony Crook PB/AC
• Trees – the FoRP were delighted that all the promised trees had been planted. This included 6 Betula, 3 Alders, A Red Oak and a Crataegus to replace a Liquidambar. The Horse Chestnut at the back of the Optician’s has finally been removed and another Liquidambar planted in a nearby gap in the laurel hedge. The Lions and the WI have offered to fund to more Birches and AC has scheduled another one in the new financial year to complete the group of nine trees. Sadly, one of the Hawthorns planted near the Compstall Rd entrance last year has been badly vandalised. This has been reported PB/AS/AC
• Trees / hedge – The headteacher of the primary school has agreed that we may have access to the primary school playground on a Saturday to tackle more from the other side of the hedge. This will be done as soon as possible TA/PB
• School bed –Work on clearing the central section has begun. A visit to rhs Bridgewater helped with ideas for planting. Plans are to be firmed up by the end of March TH/AS/PB/TA
• The section of the wall which had graffiti on it will be repainted JY/TA
Spare plants from the centre bed, such as crocosmias will be planted in the area near the substation. TA/JB
The phormiums will be cut back as soon as possible. PB/TA
• Wet beds – The bed by the gym equipment has had the first weed of the year. Anne replanted the Iris in the school wet bed.TH/AG
• Centre bed - Tracey will replant the Dahlias soon. Most of the shrubs have been trimmed. The Cornus is due to be cut down at the end of March. Regular maintenance continues BS/TA/AA
• Optician’s bed – Alan has continued with regular maintenance. AS
• Compstall Road –The Mahonia was moved from the school bed and this bed was tidied in February.
• Carlton Avenue – this bed needs to be tidied soon. PB
• Tubs –Thanks to Jean, Pam and Barbara for continuing to keep the tubs looking good. The new tub at the Compstall Road entrance is in place and Jean has planted Spring flowers to make a cheerful entrance to the park. More permanent planting will be put in during the year with the help of funding from the Lions. JB
6 Fun Day – plans are well under way for the Fun Day in June. The application to SMBC has been submitted and local groups and organisations are being contacted. AS
7 Gardening – Wednesday 16 and Saturday 26 March PB
8 The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 3 May at 10.00. at the Life Centre. Thanks to the Life Centre for hosting us.
9 Other business
• Sunflowers for Ukraine - Mark Roberts suggested the FoRP join in with this initiative. Tracey offered to plant some of her seedlings in the park. TA
• Mysterious holes near the Sandy Lane entrance –the holes were made safe and their sudden appearance was reported to the local Greenspace team.
• Spring Clean – a Borough wide litter pick is planned for 1 April. The FoRP agreed to collect litter in the park. TA
Next gardening sessions:
16 and 26 March 10.00 – 12.00
All welcome. Volunteers required.