Chair: Jim
Minutes: Harriet
Present: Jim S, Harriet J, Lynda S, Chris M, Neil W, Joe A
MINUTES
| 1. Agenda item I Welcome and apologies Jim |
Apologies were received from Tila R and Naseem H
| 2. Agenda item II a) Minutes of the last meeting, 05/09/25 b) Matters arising from the last meeting, 05/0925 Jim |
No comments were received on the minutes of the last meeting. Jim and Lynda are putting together the information and data required for this year’s insurance renewal.
| 3. Agenda item III BCAG admin Jim |
Total hours spent on BCAG business and projects since the September 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.
| 4. Agenda item IV Treasurer’s report (Naseem) |
BCAG central funds stand at £2,200.
| 5. Agenda item V Social media, Newsletter, publicity Jim |
BCAG Facebook: 1369 followers; BSCG Facebook: 1064 followers, Instagram 1022 followers; mailing list subscribers: 327; voting members: 255. Shed Facebook: 499 followers. The numbers again represent increases on previous figures.
Thank you, Joe for the September’s edition of the BCAG newsletter.
| 6. Agenda item VI Bridge Street Community Garden BSCG (Tila) |
Tila thanked all the volunteers helping at the Garden this month with heavy tasks including mulching and shifting soil as well as regular jobs such as weeding. She thanked her team, Joe, Tamzin and Milly for helping to hold sessions and put on events at the Garden.
The highlight of September in the Garden was the completion of the Parklet Project. The hardstanding area now has an impressive extension with a mix of benches and planters. The new area featured in the Banbury Guardian in an article written by Joe.
September workshops included mindful photography with Jo Osborne.
Milly held Wild Wellbeing sessions. Banbury Woodcraft Folk visited.
The Garden put on a weekend of events as part of the Canal Festival – review to follow in next month’s update.
| 7. Agenda item VII Food Action (Dan) |
The remaining resources have all now been allocated.
| 8. Agenda item VIII Browning Road Orchard BRO Harriet |
Banbury Town Council has offered to supply chippings for a winter mulch of the trees. Harriet to coordinate.
| 9. Agenda item IX Banbury Active Travel Supporters group Neil |
Neil gave an update on recent BATS activities. The North Bar and South Bar 20mph zones are out for consultation and BATS has submitted comments in support.
Paul continues to send round a very informative monthly news update. BATS are promoting the campaign for assigning “school street” status to Harriers View to support safer journeys to and from Harriers School. The designation temporarily closes a road, or section of a road, outside a school to most motor vehicles during drop-off and pick-up times creating a safer, healthier and more pleasant environment for pedestrians. School street safety zones can help reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.
| 10. Agenda item X Banbury Environment Network Harriet |
BCAG partnered with Thames 21, hosts of the Cherwell & Ray Catchment Partnership, to enhance the stream at Hanwell Brook Wetland by adding 7 tons of gravel to the stream bed. This will improve the water course as a habitat for fish spawning and invertebrates. The work involved moving the locally sourced gravel by barrow from bulk bags to the bank, then shooting it into the stream and raking it into place. Thank you to the team of volunteers, many from the Wild Banbury volunteers group, who gave up two mornings to complete the task. Thank you to Banbury Town Council and particularly Ranger Pete, for help with the work.
The Riverfly Survey team has carried out a survey of the Hanwell Brook to give a baseline against which to monitor future changes in river-life. The site has been registered with the Riverfly Partnership. Quarterly Riverfly surveys by the group continue at Adderbury and at Epwell.
| 11. Agenda item XI Climate Action Jim, Lynda, Chris |
Despite the canal closures brought about by the extreme drought conditions, and the poor weather on the Saturday, the BCAG stand at the Canal Festival was busy with passers-by stopping and engaging in climate-related conversations and activities. The data gathered showed the community to be very concerned with climate matters particularly in the local context. Thank you to all BCAG members who gave up their time to be on the stand. Footfall in the Community Garden, however, was light, not helped by the absence of any signage despite prior assurance by BTC that this would be provided. This should be kept in mind when planning for the event in 2026.
The meeting decided that a BCAG banner would be a valuable addition at such events to help identify the group. It was also agreed that we should have publicity material showcasing the projects we run. The meeting agreed these were appropriate items for BCAG core funds. Banbury Charities was suggested as a possible source of additional funds for this.
The group noted Sue S’s project update report.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
OxCAG has circulated a list of films available for local CAGs to show. The meeting agreed that it would be good to make use of this resource should any BCAG member be keen to put the event together and a suitable venue located.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held online 04/11.