Cherry Fields February 23 Minutes
Minutes of Cherry Willingham Parish Council’s Cherry Fields Committee held at
The Millennium Hall on Monday 6
th February 2023 at 2.00pm.
Present: Cllrs J. Robinson (Chair), J. Trahearn, Andy Burge, B. Robinson, P Bucke
Co-opted members: Nigel Hooper, Dave Leonard and Helen McCowan
1) To appoint a Minute taker for the meeting
It was resolved unanimously that Helen McCowan be appointed as Minute taker.
2) To receive apologies to the Clerk
Apologies were received from Alan Gardner and accepted.
3) Members' disclosure of pecuniary interests
None.
4) To receive the notes of the CFC meetings held on 1
st November 2022 and 25th November 2022
and to agree for them to be signed as a true record
The notes were agreed and signed.
5) To receive a report on maintenance and project work undertaken since the last meeting (NH)
The list of work undertaken was presented and discussed*. The PC’s Heras fencing stored in the
Oasis area will be moved soon but there is nothing further to add. Thanks were given to all the
volunteers for their hard work.
6) To receive an update on the purchase of the mulch mower and strimmer (BR)
Both items have been purchased and are currently stored in NH’s garage for safety.
They need to be included on the PC’s Asset Register so that they are covered by the PC’s insurance
policy. It was proposed and seconded that these items were included on the PC’s Asset Register as
soon as possible so that they will be covered by the PC’s insurance when moved to the storage shed
at Cherry Fields. This was agreed.
7) To receive a report on Expenditure v Budget year to date (NH)
NH presented the maintenance and project budgets*. There is currently £923 of unallocated funds. In
the projects budget there is also £965 of grant funds which is unallocated, plus £1000 match funding
from the PC. NH was thanked for updating the accounts.
8) To receive a report on any grant application including Wickes and agree any further actions
accordingly. (HM)
All the items on the list provided by NH were collected by HM from Wickes in December and
delivered to the volunteers the following day. We will apply to them again, and it was suggested that
other building suppliers may have similar schemes. This will be researched. Action: HM
The ferns purchased under the LCC wildlife grant were planted in November and a claim was made
for the funds in January. We have now received £290.32, which is the total cost less VAT.
9) To resolve on purchasing a tree identification board with grant/project money (NH)
There have been many requests over the years for some tree identification boards so that visitors
know which trees they can see. NH explained that there are three different types of woodland on the
site. He has researched different suppliers, and ones who provide boards which would fit in with the
recycled plastic we use on site. This has been narrowed down to one supplier, Shelley Signs. To
provide an A1 lectern style board currently costs £1125 plus £65 delivery charge.
Various options were discussed, and it was proposed and agreed that we purchase one sign, up to a
value of £1200. The VIC would then be able to view the sign and see if a similar sign would be
suitable for their requirements at Gilbert’s pond. NH agreed to draft a design and circulate by email
to committee members for their approval.
The purchase will have to be approved by full Council in February. Action: JR/NH
10) To agree a strategy for raising the water level in the lagoon when required, and agree any
further actions and expenditure required. (AG)
This was discussed at the last full meeting and various options were discussed again. AG had written
a note for the meeting and suggested excavating 60cm below the level of the bed of the drain to
create a storage reservoir. If the reservoir was more than 60cm, it would need to be fenced off for
H&S reasons. The water storage reservoir would only fill when the dyke was flowing, but would only
be required during the Summer period to top up the lagoon. The best option would need a temporary
dam barrier, possibly made of planks to the shape of the dyke. This could be fitted prior to a
thunderstorm to catch water and then removed once the reservoir had been filled. A digger would
need to be hired to dig the storage reservoir.
CWPC CFC Minutes 06/02/23 Page 2 of 11
The proposal was agreed in principle and AG would be asked to provide a drawing for the next
meeting. Action: AG
11) To receive an update about the development of a contoured area suitable for bikes and radio-
controlled models and agree any actions required (BR)
BR reported than some trailer loads of soil had been removed from the allotments and placed near
the picnic tables by the bike track pond. The soil would be used to make some gentle humps on
spare land near the bottom picnic area. The man who made the initial request has done a design and
it will be suitable for both battery powered models and young children on balance bikes. It needs to
be covered with fine planings or fine stones to make a more durable surface. The models would use
it in Summer time only, and it will be for battery powered models, not petrol powered ones, so will be
made to scale. Action: BR
12) To review the programme of works for the forthcoming months and associated expenditure,
including purchasing blanket week killer for the lagoon (NH/BR)
Hay from last year is still in heaps around the site. The crop needs to be cut and removed this year
before farmers get too busy. Ideally an old fashioned bailer is required, but they are very prone to
breaking down and few farmers still have them. BR will speak to the man who ploughed the
allotments. Action: BR
The path down the east side of Cherry Pastures needs maintenance work and a load of planings is
required at a cost of £200. BR said a load of limestone 20mm to dust is also needed for the cycle
track as it compacts down and forms a hard layer. Both these would need to come from the £923
which is currently unallocated.
It was proposed to purchase planings for £200 and up to £250 for the limestone dust. This was
agreed. Action: BR
The blanket weed has been bad this year and NH presented a report on the various options*.
Following discussion it was proposed to purchase 25kg of Hydra lake clear for up to £170.
This was agreed. Action: NH
DL needs some large screws for the second boardwalk he is building, plus some new wood planks.
It was agreed that £20 be approved for any purchase required. Action: DL
The programme of work and expenditure required was agreed, subject to the PC’s purchase controls
in place.
13) To receive an update on any matters regarding routine safety inspections (JT/AB)
A formal H&S inspection has not been done, although members have been regularly walking the site
and checking various areas. JR to send the form to JT, who will do a formal inspection with AB.
Although ad hoc inspections are frequently carried out, a recorded inspection is required. Action: JR
14) To receive an update on any matters relating to the roe deer sculpture and discuss the offer of
further sculptures.
HM showed the latest version of the sign for the deer. This was agreed and can now be ordered.
The wording for the brass plaque has still not been agreed. The concrete base has not been covered
and finished to create a natural surface. BR and JR to speak to JC. Action: JR/BR
JC had offered to make a pair of swans to commemorate Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip. After
much thought it was still felt that swans were not suitable for the site. A pair of corgis by the entrance
to the dog area was suggested. Otherwise, it was felt that an otter by the pond would be more
suitable than swans.
15) To receive an update regarding donation of benches and resolve on the actions needed
accordingly.
The bench and plaque have arrived and will be placed in the SE corner of Cherry Holt, near the
pond.
16) To discuss ideas for the King’s “Big Help Out” day on May 8th
.
JR reported that the PC is not holding any organised events over the Coronation weekend, but
committees had been asked to see if they could offer any volunteer activities on the Big Help Out day
on Monday May 8th
. An additional community work day at Cherry Fields was suggested, with work
activities suitable for families. This was agreed and will need to be advertised in the Cherry News in
April and May. Action: JR
17) To discuss and agree any actions required for the Community Picnic on 1st July (back-up date
8
th July) and agree any actions required.
JR reported that the Clerk needs to book two portable toilets, one of which is accessible for all.
The ukulele band, ice cream tricycle and brewery are booked. The community choir who sang at the
Christmas tree switch-on have also agreed to come.
CWPC CFC Minutes 06/02/23 Page 3 of 11
JR to check with the Vine about providing children’s games. Also, the YMCA have agreed to provide
games. There may also be a radio controlled model demonstration. It will be a much simpler picnic
event than that held to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee event last year. Action: JR/BR/Clerk
18) To receive any updates on ways of enabling visitors to Cherry Fields to make donation (JT)
There have been no further developments in this. HM said there was a newspaper article recently
about QR phishing, where fake QR codes are stuck over real ones to catch payments made. It had
been seen particularly when paying for car parking but could be used anywhere.
It was suggested that donations received in buckets at the picnic should be used for play equipment
rather than Cherry Fields. This was agreed.
19) To receive brief reports from members on actions/issues arising since last meeting and
resolve actions required (if not itemised on agenda above and dealt with already):
a) Health and Safety (AG/NH/BR)
PB has restocked the emergency kit held in the shed.
b) Grants (HM) - Nothing further to report.
c) Ditch maintenance (AG) - Nothing further to report.
d) Pond maintenance (NH/BR) – Nothing further to report
e) General path/track and site maintenance (BR/NH) - Nothing further to report
f) Grass Cutting (NH/BR) – Nothing further to report.
g) Woodland and Meadow Project (NH) - Nothing further to report.
h) Orchard
Derek had reported that one tree has been stripped by deer and he will be using recycled tubes
to protect the trees.
i) Dog exercise area and off lead strip
Piles of Dog excrement and bags left around have now returned. This stopped when the signs
were first erected but has started again.
The dog exercise area is still well used. DL reported that one gate post on the east side was
loose and needs fixing.
The notice board needs steel sheets so the notices can be fixed with magnets rather than pins.
It was proposed to purchase a 2mm metal sheet from the maintenance fund, at a cost up to £50.
This was agreed. Action: BR
j) Bike Track (BR)
Grass at either side of the track will need cutting this summer.
k) Car Park and Gate-opening and closing (BR)
There have been 2 cars locked in recently. JT reported that the lock was frozen in the bad
weather.
l) Oasis
The YMCA are now the licence holder. The land registry deeds now have to been amended from
Worth Unlimited to the YMCA. JT & TB have been nominated to liaise between the PC and
YMCA.
20) General: Any other matters to report for inclusion in the next agenda
Nothing further reported.
21) To agree the date of the next meeting
Tuesday, 14th March 2023 at 2.00pm in the Millennium Hall.
The meeting closed at 4.00pm.
Signed........................................... Dated.............................
Committee Chairman
*Additional documents available from the clerk
CWPC CFC Minutes 06/02/23 Page 4 of 11
Note of volunteer work undertaken since 18 October 2022
Project development
144 ferns, funded by LCC, have all been planted in the more mature woodland areas to increase biodiversity
and add visual interest.
The remaining section of perimeter hedge for the enlarged dog exercise area has been planted with a mixture
of native species and the vehicular gate (funded by iGas) has been installed.
This completes the major planned project development work envisaged in the agreed Cherry Fields
masterplan.
Two loads of surplus soil from the allotments car park construction have been deposited in one area of the
bike track picnic area with a view to landscaping them into a contoured R/C model driving area cum junior
bike exercise area. Two further loads were also put onto the soil storage heap within the bike track area.
Maintenance
Crown lifting for the woodland blocks around the cycle track has now been largely completed improving
visibility for users. This work has also been extended into the “Charter Wood” planted by staff and students of
Pembroke Academy.
Volunteers are continuing to remove deer and weed protection from the larger trees where it is no longer
required. It is planned to reuse all of this material.
Around 200 trees planted last season in Cherry Pastures, which died as a result of the drought, have now been
replaced.
The edge of the lagoon near the picnic area, which had become slippery with use, has been partly lined with
limestone boulders donated by the Marina Project to improve safety. More will however be required. A
surfaced approach path and boardwalk has been constructed on the muddy edge of the pond in the southeast
corner of Cherry Pastures using donated timber.
Unfortunately it was not possible to find a contractor who was willing to remove the cut “hay” from the
wildflower meadow and this has been rotting down over the winter.
Potholes in the car park area and main entrance were filled in using a combination of crushed limestone,
planings and sweepings. The use of stone seems to have been more successful than previous attempts just
using planings. A 20 ton load of planings was delivered in December to replenish the stock.
The bike track has been inspected regularly for loose large stones and cleared appropriately.
During the frosty weather the ice on the ponds has been broken at the edges where easily accessible. On
some occasions however it was too thick to break successfully.
Improved access to the river bank
The stone cairn with a village sign has now been completed and has attracted a lot of visitor attention on
Facebook. Planned work on this project is now complete.
Volunteer input (between 18 October 2022 and 23 January 2023)
Project development 11 person days
Maintenance 11 person days
Gate opening 6.5 person days
Total 28.5 person days
CWPC CFC Minutes 06/02/23 Page 5 of 11
Maintenance budget update
PC annual allocation £4,500
Total £4,500
Item
Actual
spend Estimate Total
Annual cycle track inspection £80
Witham Third drainage rates £21
Total obligations £101
Grass mowing contract (paths and picnic areas):-
April £137
May £0
June £137
July £137
August £0
September £137
October £0
November £137
November cut £137
Strimmer purchase £411
Total grass maintenance £1,233
Hedge maintenance:- £0
Path and cycle track repairs:-
20 tons planings £200
Second purchase of 20 tons planings (not yet invoiced) £200
Final purchase of 20 tons planings £200
Roller hire £140
Fuel £7
Sleeper bridge widening (2 sleepers) £103
Ear defenders £14
Total path maintenance £864
Pond maintenance:-
Boardwalks (fixings) £30
Pump hire £40
20m 50mm diameter lay flat hose £20
Pump £200
Dam construction materials and plant (estimate) £150
Total pond maintenance £440
Replacement signs:-
Gate opening and closing times and overflow parking £123
Laminator pouches for temporary signs £9
Printing £2
CWPC CFC Minutes 06/02/23 Page 6 of 11
Total signs £134
Volunteer expenses:-
Dave's fuel £15
Dave's fuel £42
Barry's fuel £30
Dave's fuel £55
Dave's fuel £30
Dave's fuel £60
Dave's fuel £30
Dave's fuel £70
Barry's fuel £15
Barry's fuel £70
Dave's fuel £80
Estimated future exes £103
Total fuel use £600
Drain maintenance:- £0
Timber maintenance:-
Preservative for bridge, bus shelter, shed and castles £55
Preservative for fort extension £13
Paint and fixings for dog jumps £28
Total timber maintenance £96
Wildflower meadow maintenance:-
Cutting (mower hire) £109
Baling and removal £0
Total meadow maintenance £109
Unallocated £923 £923
Total £2,874 £1,626 4500
CWPC CFC Minutes 06/02/23 Page 7 of 11
Projects Budget update
PC budget (£4,000 reduced to £3,500 Jan 2022 and to £1,500 in April
2022) £1,500
Carry forward of iGas grant (reduced from £1,000 to cover 2021/22
overspend) £819
Donation (for unspecified use at Cherry Fields) £100
Coop dog exercise area grant funds £664
LCC wildlife grant £290
Donation for bench £435
£3,808
Carry over of orchard donations (inc. £100 from WI) £1,034
Project
Actual
spend Estimate Total
"Welcome to Cherry Willingham" plaque £88
Brass fixings for plaque £3
Fort extension timber preservative £13
Landscape fabric £35
Sign and brass plaque for deer sculpture £70
Contingencies £291
Match funding available for grant aided projects £1,000
Total mainly Parish Council funded projects £139 £1,361 £1,500
Projects fully funded by grants or donations:-
Native ferns for woodland diversity (LCC) £290
Dog exercise area vehicular gate, post and furniture (Coop) £278
Digger and auger to install dog agility area gate (Coop) £130
Dog agility equipment (residue of Coop grant) £232
Purchase of bench (donation) £413
Unallocated (grants and donations) available for tree identification
boards £965
Total fully grant and donation funded projects £821 £1,487 £2,308
Replacement trees £234
Grease bands etc £100
Community orchard mower £521
unallocated £214
Total community orchard fund projects £521 548 £1,069
CWPC CFC Minutes 06/02/23 Page 8 of 11
Project and maintenance work required over the coming months.
Maintenance
Managing the woodlands will be the major activity over the remaining winter months. This will comprise :-
• Coppicing the shrubs beneath the power lines to make the path less intimidating for users
• Coppicing willows around the castles and “golf course” areas to encourage them to bush out
• Cutting back the tall hedge on the east side of Cherry Holt to stop it shading out the trees
• Continuing to crown lift the taller trees along the woodland walk
We will also be prioritising using up all of the available deer protection on the new trees in Cherry Pastures
before the deer start damaging the trees in the spring.
As the vegetation dries out it will be useful to mow the more recently planted woodland blocks so that it is
easier to apply herbicide in the spring.
It would also be prudent to redouble the committee’s efforts to find a contractor to remove this year’s “hay”
from the wildflower meadow. This is an important part of the process of reducing soil fertility after decades of
fertiliser use.
Some areas of the lagoon edge have become trampled and it is planned to use donated boulders and
construct a small second boardwalk using donated timber to protect the clay lining at these locations.
The newly delivered bench will be installed near the pond in the southeast corner of Cherry Pastures in the
near future.
The path network is currently in good repair but occasional maintenance may be required over the remaining
winter months. The length most in need of some work is the woodland walk on the eastern edge of Cherry
Pastures. Some sections are quite soft and there has been soil intrusion from adjacent mole heaps and
possibly from underneath. It is hoped that overtopping with a fresh layer of planings will alleviate this. The
worse sections may require a layer of stone first. Although there is a small amount of material in stock it
would be prudent to purchase an additional load of planings for this work from the unallocated funds in the
maintenance budget.
The cycle track is generally holding up well but as most users stay on the same line the visible width has
gradually reduced over time. This is not a problem for confident users but probably creates anxiety for the
less confident. We will attempt to address this by a combination of spraying and chopping back the intruding
vegetation and adding more planings/sweepings. The other problem to be addressed is that the bike track
humps have gradually deceased in height. Ways will be sought to restore the height or add new features to
maintain the challenge of the track. In addition, the surface would generally be improved by the addition of
limestone dust. If this can be sourced it would make sense to purchase a load from the unallocated funds in
the maintenance budget.
Project development
The development of the Cherry Fields project, as envisaged in the agreed masterplan, is now complete.
Potential new developments however continue to arise and the proposed contoured radio-controlled model
driving and junior bike exercise area is an example of this. The volunteers will need to work the recently
delivered soil into a suitable series of rolling mounds. This will allow youngsters, for example, on balance
bikes to attempt the simple mounds and gain confidence within sight of parents on the picnic benches. It will
also meet request of radio-controlled model users to have somewhere to drive their vehicles.
River bank access improvement
This project is now complete and no further development work is planned at the moment.
Orchard
CWPC CFC Minutes 06/02/23 Page 9 of 11
The orchard is complete and all trees appear to be healthy. The effects of last summer’s drought will only
become clear as the trees start to grow in the spring and some replacement (funded from existing reserves)
may need to be considered in the autumn. In the meantime deer protection will need to be added to the trees
before they suffer deer damage in the spring.
Treatment options for summer blanket weed in the lagoon
The problem
Blanket weed (any of several filamentous aquatic weeds) can arrive in a pond on the feet of birds and cannot
therefore be avoided. Blanket weed thrives in shallow water which is open to the sun and full of nutrients
(from agricultural fertiliser runoff, fish excrement or decomposition of plant material). The lagoon is therefore
particularly prone to summer blooms of blanket weed.
In itself the weed need not be a problem but when a bloom covers the lagoon it can smother other plants, rob
the water of oxygen and become unsightly and malodourous as it dies down. This was particularly a problem
in the long hot summer of 2022 when the lagoon water level was very low.
During this time a number of users asked if it was proposed to control the blanket weed.
Options
Historically a range of chemical herbicides have been used to remove blanket weed but these can be toxic to
other plants and sometimes animal life. These are now illegal.
In smaller garden ponds blanket weed can be physically removed by winding it around a stick, but this can
simply spread small fragments of weed and in a large pond, like the lagoon, it would be impracticable.
The floating leaves of aquatic plants (such as water lilies) can shade the water surface and reduce the vigour
of blanket weed growth, but this option is not practicable in a shallow pond like the lagoon.
Barley straw has also traditionally been used as a long term slow release solution, but can require several
treatments and often has an uncertain outcome. Concentrated barley extract can be purchased but is difficult
to apply to large ponds as it needs to be diluted before use.
A more recently developed and biologically friendly option involves dosing the water with bacteria which feed
specifically on blanket weed. Product strength varies and the number of recommended treatments varies
between products. Most suppliers recommend treating the water while the weed is actively growing
(between March and September). This option may be worth pursuing.
Available bacterial treatments
The lagoon is approximately 10 metres wide, 20 metres long giving a surface area of 200 square metres. The
lagoon is 0.6 metres deep and when full it contains 120 cubic metres of water (120,000 litres or 26,400
gallons)
There are a number of bacterial products on the market and a selection of the most reasonably priced is
summarised below:-
CWPC CFC Minutes 06/02/23 Page 10 of 11
Product Treatment
technique
Comments Number of
treatments
required
Estimated cost*
(delivery is free
in all researched
cases) ex VAT
Hydra lake clear
supplied by
Hydra
Granules which
can be broadcast
A product
marketed for
commercial and
fishing lakes.
Tubs have a shelf
life of 3 years.
A single
application may
be sufficient, but
as the minimum
order of 25Kg will
treat 4,000
square metres
(20 times the size
of the lagoon), a
single order
could be used for
several
treatments and
for the following
two years.
A 25Kg tub would
cost £157
Hydra Quartz
supplied by
Hydra
Bacteria on
quartz sand
which can be
broadcast
Seems to be
aimed at garden
ponds
Two treatments
recommended
2 treatments
would cost £192
Green lightning
supplied by “It
must be green”
Supplied as small
water soluble
sachets.
Without water
circulation this
technique might
not be effective
in reaching all
areas of weed.
Three treatments
(one every 30
days) are
recommended to
completely
remove weed.
The presence of
the material is
designed to
ensure the weed
does not return
during the
season.
3 treatments
would require 4
large bags of
sachets costing
£150
Swell UK Supplied as
bacteria on bran
in water soluble
sachets.
Without water
circulation this
technique might
not be effective
in reaching all
areas of weed
Recommended
to be applied
every 14 days
until the weed
disappears. Each
sachet would
treat 1,000
gallons, so the
lagoon would
require 27
sachets per
treatment.
3 treatments
would cost £210
CWPC CFC Minutes 06/02/23 Page 11 of 11
Cloverleaf
blanket answer
supplied by
“Swell UK”
Supplied as a
powder to be
mixed with water
before adding to
the pond. and
slowly poured
into the pond.
Seems to be
designed for
garden ponds
and pouring the
diluted product
into the centre of
the lagoon could
be logistically
challenging.
Unclear but a
single treatment
may be
sufficient.
1 treatment
would require 4
tubs of product
at a cost of £125
*Prices are estimates as a number of suppliers had January cost reductions.
Recommendation
The majority of products are supplied in quantities suited to garden ponds and therefore in small
quantities priced for the domestic market.
Hydra lake clear is aimed at commercial users including fisheries, is supplied as a bulk product and is
therefore significantly more cost effective than other products. A plastic tub would be easy to store and
the granular form of the product should make it easy to broadcast. The minimum quantity of 25Kg could
be used several times in the same season and its 3 year shelf life means that it should be useable for
several years.
It is therefore recommended that a 25Kg tub of Hydra lake clear be purchased from uncommitted funds in
the Cherry Fields maintenance budget.
End of associated documents