Chair: Jim
Minutes: Harriet
Present: Jim S, Harriet J, Lynda S, Paul B, Chris M
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, 05/08/25 b) Matters arising from the last meeting, 05/08/25 Jim |
No comments were received on the minutes of the last meeting. There were no matters arising not covered by items on the agenda.
| 3. Agenda item III BCAG admin Jim |
Total hours spent on BCAG business and projects since the August 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 £2,274.
| 5. Agenda item V Social media, Newsletter, publicity Jim |
BCAG Facebook: 1359 followers; BSCG Facebook: 1055 followers; mailing list subscribers: 328; voting members: 255. Shed Facebook: 499 followers. The numbers again represent increases on previous figures.
After a summer break for August, Joe is underway with September’s edition of the BCAG newsletter.
| 6. Agenda item VI Bridge Street Community Garden BSCG (Tila) |
Joe gave the meeting an update on behalf of the ‘Garden trainees’: Joe, Milly and Tamzin. All are busy running well-being and practical gardening sessions at the Garden.
Tila’s monthly report for August recorded another busy month at the Garden. She thanks all the volunteers who have helped keep the Garden watered over the dry summer months, the more so since a hosepipe ban has been in force. And particularly, she thanks her team of Milly, Joe and Tamzin, and thanks Jim for his daily check of the Garden.
The lead news is the successful installation of the new parklet in the corner by the canal. Many volunteers helped with this and most of the planters are now filled.
Events and activities this month included: a wellbeing walk led by Milly; family play session in collaboration with Dima from St Mary’s Church, with additional help from Lynne; a singing and clay workshop led by Katy of Singing Mamas and Hayley, this following a singing circle led by Katy earlier in the month; a visit from Sunrise Multicultural Project focussed on paper flower workshop; a visit from Oxford Doodle Club with a creative drawing session led by Laura and Matt; a day of music and food as a Sri Lankan celebration; a visit from a refugee and asylum seeker group, plus several gardening sessions.
Representatives from the Garden joined the Green Fair with visitors making badges with designs by Matt.
Thank you to WUKA Wear for donating reusable period pants. These have been shared with women in need, helping them save money and reduce waste while offering dignity and choice.
The Garden is planning a weekend of events as part of the Canal Festival.
| 7. Agenda item VII Food Action (Dan) |
No update this month.
| 8. Agenda item VIII Browning Road Orchard BRO Harriet |
No update this month.
| 9. Agenda item IX Banbury Active Travel Supporters group (Paul/Neil) |
A working group in Cherwell DC are exploring actions which would support diversely-abled cyclists in the town. They are seeking diversely-abled cyclists and others, for ideas for making infrastructure inclusive.
BATS continues to attend the Traffic Advisory Committee, being present at their latest meeting, 27/08. This committee looks at strategic issues related to travel and transport in the town, such as speed limits, public transport projects, LCWIP progress, and Vision Zero.
Good progress is being made on the Eastern and Western corridors, that is, the Overthorpe/Grimsbury cycleway into town and the Springfield Avenue to Southam Road route. The committee recommended the 20mph speed limit be extended from Bloxham Road to the cemetery, a section which includes Horsefair and St Mary’s School. Research continues to show that 20mph saves lives and does not slow overall traffic flow.
Oxfordshire Active Travel Roundtable meets monthly online to share news about active travel related to projects and events in Oxfordshire. Meetings are open to everyone.
On 04/09, OCC approved the construction stage of the Cherwell Street Bus Service Improvement Scheme which will both improve the reliability of bus services and make the Bridge Street / Cherwell Street intersection more pedestrian-friendly.
Thank you to Paul for being the central player at BATS and for compiling their regular email news.
| 10. Agenda item X Banbury Environment Network Harriet |
BCAG has partnered with Thames 21, hosts of the Cherwell & Ray Catchment Partnership, in a project to enhance the stream at Hanwell Brook Wetland. Later this month, volunteers will be helping add gravel to the shallows to improve it as a habitat for fish spawning. The Town Council is supporting the work.
| 11. Agenda item XI Climate Action Jim, Lynda, Chris |
Along with other climate-aware organisations, BCAG took part in the Climate Day organized by Dan at ‘Nothing but Footprints’, 09/08. Thanks to all those who represented BCAG on the day.
Despite the canal closures brought about by the extreme drought conditions, the Canal Weekend is going ahead. Lynda is organising the rota for manning the BCAG stand. The Garden will also run a day of activities and entertainment as part of the festival.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Chris drew the meeting’s attention to the Amnesty International Garden Fete, 13/09.
Jim continues to help organise climate-focussed national and regional protests.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held online 07/10.