FRIENDS of ROMILEY PARK
Minutes of the Meeting held on 4 March 2025 at 10.00 at Romiley Life Centre
Present: Tracey Adams, Pam Read, Terry Holmes, Jean Bartlett, Philippa Bonorino
Apologies: John Young, Anne Granby, Abdulnaser Alshurbaji, Mohammad Alsaied, Debbie Barraclough, Bob Cunliffe
1. Minutes of the meeting on 1 October 2025 were accepted as a correct record.
2. Matters arising: none.
3. Treasurer’s Report: PR reported a balance of £2607.37 after receipt of donations from the Lions and the resident who removed a tree without permission.
4. Action Plan
• Wildflower meadow – Seeded turf will be purchased later in the Spring to try to increase the variety of plants. Check whether SMBC could purchase it more advantageously on our behalf. Action PB
• Trees –Cleaning the bark of the multi stemmed Betula and weeding round the bases is still needed. Action PB
• School bed – The section next to Sandy Lane has had a Buddleia moved and more Cotoneasters dug out to increase the planting area. A Berberis will be purchased for this area. Action TA/JB
The plants in the central area need to be reviewed and surplus plants moved to the Compstall Road entrance. Another late flowering Clematis is needed for the back wall because the one planted last summer failed. Action PB/TH
The leaf pile needs to be shredded and turned and ivy removed from the walls. Action MA
• Wet beds – The weeding and thinning needs to continue. Action TH
• Centre bed – The Spring pruning is scheduled for this month. Action PB/JB/MA/BC
• Optician’s bed – Regular work has continued. Bindweed has been removed but will continue to be a problem. The Bamboo will need thinning out soon. This area is on the list for edging. PR/AG/MA/JY
• Compstall Rd – work to create the block planting will begin when access to this area of the park is reopened. Action All
• Carlton Ave – The focus will be on keeping the bed tidy but not trying to grow small plants there because of the competition with the grass. Action PB/
• Tubs – Thanks to Jean and Barbara for keeping the displays going all autumn and winter. Some of the herbs in the tub near the playground have failed and will be replaced with more robust plants. Action JB
5. Gardening – Saturday 15 and Saturday 29 March 2025. Action PB
6. Other business
• FoRP 20th Anniversary is in 2025. There will be a celebratory event with guests. Former and present members of the FoRP , donors and colleagues from SMBC will be invited. Action TA/DB
• Bulbs – the survey has been carried out and gaps identified. A plan will be made for planting new bulbs. Action PB
7. Next Meeting – Tuesday 6 May 2025 at 10.00 in the Life Centre
The meeting closed at 11.35