Report, based on the minutes of the 1^st Annual Meeting

Tillingham Woodland Interest Group.

8.pm. 26^th October 2006

The Congregational Chapel meeting room.

South Street, Tillingham.

In attendance eight members of TWIG and 2 supporters, apologies from two members of TWIG and several supporters, (TWIGS.)

The meeting was opened by John Williams at 8pm. An update of the general situation to date was given. Peter Garrett of Maldon District Council was unable to attend, but sent a report. Our partners, Maldon District Council are in discussion on behalf of the group for the purchase of a plot of land, larger than we originally asked for, now some 2 acres, as a result of the repositioning of the boundaries, following the objections by two people living near the formerly proposed site. St. Paul’s have instructed us to proceed with this plot, the size of which corresponds to the Forestry Commission minimum, as suggested by St. Paul’s. A plan has been drawn up with this in mind, a strip some 30 metres wide alongside the St. Peter’s Way, from the Bowls Club westward. Access issues have been resolved, and we are now in the hands of the legal fraternity. (Initially we had been arranging to rent a plot, but in a surprising show of support, St. Paul’s have offered to sell to us.)

There have been various public notices and consultations, in the local paper and the parish paper, with just one person still objecting. The vast majority of residents are in favour of the project, as the signatures collected at the Flower show underlined. The Flower Show stand organised by Belinda Allen, proved to be a very good way of meeting many residents and allaying the fears and misinformation that some had received. We were heartened by the response.

The Maldon District Council Tree Wardens and members of TWIG had also been active recently with the Beaver Scouts, the Pre School children and all the children of St. Nicholas Primary, seed gathering and planting, with the further planting of hedgerow plants around the school, (in all over 700 plants have been planted there by the children and TWIG). Over a hundred pots of tree seeds have been planted to add to the hundreds of young saplings growing in our nursery beds and around the village.

Warren Allen presented the financial report to date. There have been donations totalling £820 and interest of £1.00. Income from charcoal sold at the Flower Show, and the money collected for the competition netted a further £21.00, making the Total £842.00.

Warren explained that all grant applications were on hold until the land was arranged.

John went on to reveal some of the plans the group had for the coming year. The following Sunday TWIG together with Essex Arb, had taken it upon themselves to organise a local ‘Seed Gathering Event’. (John was subsequently interviewed by BBC Essex for 10 minutes and the Sunday gardening team gave the event their resounding backing. About 75 people attended the event, some as a result of hearing it on the BBC, some as a result of the flyers TWIG volunteers posted to local houses!) Many hundreds of seeds gathered on the day have now all been planted!

TWIG thought another event might be organised in the spring of 2007 at Hazeleigh Woods, the proprietors of which were supporters of TWIG and the St. Paul’s Wood project.

TWIG resolved to have another stand at the next Flower Show and would now make an effort to recruit full supporters, not just their opinions. (The numbers of ‘TWIGS’ is growing rapidly, those pledging to help in some way, come the day, or donating money, or promising to provide a tree.)

There would be more visits to the school and youth groups in 2007 by members of TWIG, culminating in seed gathering again in the autumn. By then we might have already planted the first section of the new community wood. It was hoped to involve all sections of the community, especially the youth.

We have been offered our own web space on the Woodland Trusts site; we have also considered having our own independent site. We will consider these issues at our next meeting. We will hope to use a website in future to publish all our news. At present we use the websites of the Woodland Trust, the Green Light Trust, the local area website as well as Villages UK.

TWIG then voted to slightly amend our original rules, as set out in our constitution, and in future a supporter of ‘TWIG’ may only vote at an Annual Meeting after they have been a member for a year.

The steering group, otherwise known as TWIG were all willing to stand again and were re-elected. The positions of Chair, Secretary, Treasurer Etc, to be agreed at the next committee meeting, to be held as soon as possible after the Annual Meeting.

In ‘Any Other Business’, two subjects were raised, for further discussion in committee.

1. The active recruiting of supporters, ‘TWIGS’ as this has not been previously attempted.

2. The redrawing of the TWIG logo, of the twig or branch with leaves and hands depicted. (As apposed to the St. Paul’s Wood logo we already have).

The meeting closed at 8.30pm.

Refreshments were served and informal discussions went on for another hour!

We look forward to inviting many more ‘TWIGS’ to next years meeting!

John Williams,

Chair of TWIG