Chair: Jim
Minutes: Harriet
Present: Jim S, Harriet J, Lynda S, Joe A, Dave W (joined 7.45pm)
MINUTES
| 1. Agenda item I Welcome and apologies Jim |
Apologies from Tila R, Naseem H, Paul B, Chris M, Dan P
| 2. Agenda item II a) Minutes of the last meeting, 04/02/25 b) Matters arising from the last meeting, 04/02/25 Jim |
No comments were received on the minutes of the last meeting.
| 3. Agenda item III BCAG admin Jim |
Total hours spent on BCAG business and projects since the February meeting were recorded – thanks to everyone for putting in the time. Harriet to ask any core members not at the monthly meeting, for their hours.
Action needed: the annual review of our policies is due with Lynda/Harriet to check we have in place those we need, and that they are fit for purpose.
| 4. Agenda item IV Treasurer’s report (Naseem) |
BCAG central funds still stand at £2,466. There were £18 in donations from the G&T.
| 5. Agenda item V Social media, Newsletter, publicity Jim |
The meeting congratulated Joe on his excellent Newsletters.
January stats: main Facebook 1,301 followers; Bridge Street CG FB 951 followers. BCAG mailing list 326 for Newsletter of which 243 are members. [Shed 421 FB followers]. It’s great that once again the numbers show an increase on those recorded in February’s meeting.
Lynda is completing the annual report of BCAG activities for OxCAG: thank you, Lynda, for taking this on, year on year. The meeting provided suggestions to include for the ‘challenges’ section including increasing numbers of volunteers, recruiting people to take the lead on events, and the dilemma at the Garden of balancing an open access to all welcome with the provision of a secure and safe environment.
| 6. Agenda item VI Bridge Street Community Garden BSCG (Tila) |
BCAG is delighted that Tila’s huge commitment to community and wellbeing in Banbury has been recognised through the current Banbury BID/ Chiltern Railways Community Investment Fund ‘Hall of Fame’ portrait exhibition gracing the station.
Tila thanked everyone who has contributed to the life of the Garden this month both in the actual running of the Garden itself and in helping with events. She sends special thanks to Joe for writing newsletters and articles and taking on many other tasks: Joe, your help is much appreciated. Also, particular thanks to Jim for his regular morning checks of the Garden and Lynda for being ‘curator of the seeds’.
CDC and BTC have collected fly-tipped items but, sadly, more rubbish has since appeared.
During February, the Garden has collaborated with People’s Theatre Collective, MultakaOxford, Home-Start and Aspire, all having tailored sessions at the Garden with Tila.
The family half-term event was very successful with over 60 people joining for a day of creative and nature-based activities. Thanks to Tamzin, Joe, Chris, Milly, Lynda and Tila for organising the day.
March events include a celebration of International Women’s Day, 08/03, in partnership with MultakaOxford and a community walk, 10/03, with Chris Elliott.
| 7. Agenda item VII Food Action (Dan) |
Funded through the BCAG food action, the refreshments for the February Give & Take were provided by The Banbury Larder, continuing our good links with this excellent initiative.
| 8. Agenda item VIII Browning Road Orchard BRO Harriet |
The meeting agreed that BCAG should take opportunities to encourage local residents to organise events in the Orchard. We need to make it clear that going forward BCAG will not necessarily be taking the lead in Orchard events. BCAG will, however, continue to care for the orchard itself. Harriet to feed back to Vaughan and Winnie.
| 9. Agenda item IX Banbury Active Travel Supporters group (Paul/Neil) |
Jim continues to attend the Oxfordshire Active Travel meetings. Jim has been trialing the app that promotes alternative means of transport to car travel by offering rewards/points for journeys undertaken via sustainable travel choices.
| 10. Agenda item X Banbury Environment Network Harriet |
Sue is leading the March trip to Banbury STW. Unfortunately, TW is not able to provide the second of the planned visits, so this has been cancelled.
Sue and Harriet will be arranging the April ‘water blitz’, linking in with the national FreshWater Watch event, 25/04 – 28/04. This will give a snapshot of water quality across the Banbury area and raise awareness of water quality issues. As a citizen science add-on, the blitz will include testing for E.coli.
Harriet has signed BCAG up for the Thames 21 ‘plasticblitz’, 31/05 – 15/06, and is linking with Steve K, Banbury Litter Pickers on this.
The long weekend of 28/02 – 03/03 saw volunteers assisting Thames 21 staff to create in-channel improvements to the River Cherwell within Spiceball Park. Promoted by BCAG, the project was made possible through funding from the EA WEIF – water environment improvement fund – and was enabled through involvement by Banbury Town Council, Thames 21, and the Cherwell & Ray Catchment Partnership.
| 11. Agenda item XI Climate Action Lynda, Jim, Harriet, (Chris) |
The first G&T of the year, 22/02, held in partnership with the Banbury Larder, at the Marlborough Road Methodist Church, went very well. Stats: 621Kg weighed in; 64Kg electricals tested/repaired; 74 attendees. Well done, Lynda, for pulling this together and thanks to everyone from BCAG and The Larder, for contributing to the success of the event. Jack and Dan particularly, gave brilliant support on the day.
Following a meeting to discuss possible format and content for the event, Chris is taking the lead on the proposed engagement event with our MP on climate-related issues.
Jim and Harriet are attending the OCC Climate Community Network meeting 13/03.
Lynda is in discussion with Katie C from Toolbox Marketing, about a seed swap event in Lock 29, Castle Quay.
Paul has taken the lead on the application for funds for Big Green Week; Harriet will pick up on this while Paul is away.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
BCAG AGM 2025 will be held 01/04, 7.30pm, online.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held online 01/04. This will follow on from the AGM.