Cherry Fields Minutes July 2025
Minutes of Cherry Willingham Parish Council’s Cherry Fields Committee
held on Wednesday, 16th July 2025 at 19.00 in the Millennium Hall
Chair of the Committee: Cllr J. Robinson
Vice-Chair of the Committee: N. Hooper
Present: Cllrs J. Robinson, P. Burke, B. Robinson, A. Burge and J. Trahearn and co-opted
members: N. Hooper, D. Leonard, C. Bochel, A Gardner and H. McCowan. (Initials used in
minutes below.)
1. To note and record apologies and absences.
None to record.
2. To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and
consider any requests for dispensations in relation to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or
other interests as outlined in the Council’s Code of Conduct.
Nothing to record.
3. To receive the draft notes of the Cherry Fields Committee Meeting held on Tuesday 20th May
2025 and approve as Minutes.
It was noted that the minutes had failed to record the presence of AG, or the co-option of C. Bochel
and it was resolved to amend the minutes accordingly. The revised minutes were then approved.
4. To receive a report on the Expenditure v Budget figures to date. (NH)
*NH presented the project and maintenance budgets. Some of the PC element of the project budget
has been allocated to the dog area drainage. The total cost of the project has been £2800.
Grease Bands were listed under the orchard spending, but NH visited a garden recently where they
have pheromone traps instead, which are much easier to install. He will investigate this further. AB
said he has some for his fruit trees and they have been very successful.
The maintenance budget is on target so far.
JR thanked NH for keeping on top of expenditure. Action: NH
5. To receive an update on matters relating to potential grant applications and donations. (HM)
No applications on-going at the moment.
NH said we were running out of wood preservative so this would be good to request next time we
are able to apply to Wickes. Action: HM
6. To receive an update regarding the potential new lease of the Oasis area to Green Synergy.
Negotiations have been continuing, and the PC will discuss this on Monday. It is currently
envisaged that Green Synergy would take over on 1st October 2025, but the process is still on-going.
NH said the hedge on the east side of the Oasis is not growing well due to its proximity to the trees.
The fence there may need to remain for some time, and we would be liable for its maintenance.
7. To note the request to hold a brief wedding blessing on Cherry Fields in August and agree
any recommendations to Full Council.
JR explained about a local couple who would like to have a blessing on Cherry Fields, after they
have been married. It would be a short service.
It was agreed we would recommend that this be approved by full council.
8. To note the Environment Agency’s response to the request for “behind–the–hedge” paths
and agree any recommendations to Full Council.
JR/BR gave a presentation about potential “behind the hedge” paths, the options for construction
and phasing of the work. There was considerable discussion on the subject.
The EA are agreeable at present to the idea of paths alongside the Fiskerton Road, and it was felt
that if we do not take up the opportunity as soon as we can there may not be another chance in the
CWPC CFC Minutes 17/07/2025 Page 2 of 8
future. They are not, however, currently agreeable to a path on the north side of the North Delph.
A 4-metre width would allow for the construction of an all-ability path in the future as a digger would
be able to move along a wide path. If only 2-metre width is requested this could limit future options.
It could take up to four years to do the whole work. Initially we could make a grass path and monitor
the amount of usage. Cutting of the grass would need to be added to the grass cutting contract, and
the 4-metre width would allow the grass/hedge cutter to gain access.
The EA recognises that the PC needs security of tenure before incurring any expenditure on such a
project. The farmer’s tenancy is due for renewal on 1st October, at which point the EA could reduce
the amount of land he can farm to allow for a path. The PC would have to pay for any legal cost
incurred to give us the required tenure.
The possibility of fencing or hedges along the path was also discussed. If an all-ability path can be
constructed it would only need to go as far as the Fenland Hideaway, and not on section 3.
Grant applications could be made to help with the cost of constructing the paths. It was noted that
this is not just a Cherry Fields scheme, and volunteers would be needed from the village to help the
CF volunteer team.
It was resolved to support the idea of an all-ability behind the hedge path within a 4m strip bounded
by a new hedge and make a positive recommendation to full council.
AB left at 19.45
9. To receive a report on the CWPC Fun Dog show held on the Dog Exercise Area on Saturday
7th June.
Although the day was wet, there was a reasonable turnout, and people seemed to enjoy the event.
Another show will be held on 6th June 2026.
10. To receive an update on installing drainage in the Dog Exercise Area and agree any further
actions required. (BR)
The work went according to plan and only overran by half a day.
Thank you to all the volunteers who helped do the work and thank you to BR who did most of the
planning. The scheme was completed on budget. BR has some grass seeds to sow over the drains
when the weather is right. Action: BR
11. To note the actions taken to date regarding the broken wooden gate post and agree any
further actions and expenditure as required.
The gate post by the main wooden gate has completely rotted at the base. It has been secured for
the present but needs replacing. A replacement post costs £185 plus delivery. As it needed to be
ordered as soon as possible, the Clerk authorised the purchase of the post. It was resolved to
approve up to £200 for hiring a digger with an auger and bucket to use for installing the post and
completing other maintenance tasks. Action: BR
12. To agree the actions required to establish the main track from the road to the river as a
permissive path, and therefore shown on OS maps.
The PC has agreed that the track from the road to the river should be made a permissive path. JR
has information on how it needs reporting to LCC and the OS. There is a cost to registering it, but
this is unclear at present. Chris Marsh, Countryside Officer has been emailed but no response
received yet. It was noted that LCC are way behind on all footpath issues. It was agreed to write to
the OS and ask how to go about this, in case they respond more easily. Action: JR
13. To receive a report on work undertaken since the last meeting. (NH/BR)
*NH reported that 67 days equivalent of volunteer work, plus gate opening and closing, has been
done since the last meeting. The fence round the Oasis has been repaired. The lagoon has dried
out due to the weather and pumping will start when it next rains.
Some of the trees have died and new pests are being seen due to climate change. Some more
damage has been done, which involves volunteers rectifying it. Motor bikes have been down again,
but less damage caused. However, two trees were cut down over the bike track. These will be
reported to the police. Action: BR
Thank you to all the volunteers for their hard work.
CWPC CFC Minutes 17/07/2025 Page 3 of 8
14. To review any matters arising from recent H & S inspections and agree any actions still
required.
A new rota is required, and the following was agreed:
July – NH, August – DL, September – CB, October – JT/PB, November - JR/BR, December – AG.
15. To discuss the suggestion of using the “SafetyCulture” app to record inspections in the
future.
A new app. is being trialled for H&S inspections of play equipment in the Parish. It may also be
useful for CF inspections. JT explained that it can be downloaded to a smart phone and comments
for each area typed in as you go around. If there are any issues, a photo can be taken. This allows
the Clerk to keep more information on H&S inspections.
It was asked if the app could be downloaded to a pc as some members prefer to write comments on
paper then type up the report at home.
It was agreed that play equipment inspections would be used to trial the app. first and see how they
work out as there are some issues and concerns about its use.
16. To review the arrangements for cutting the hay and to note the Co-op Community Team’s
offer to help with gathering the grass in.
The Co-op volunteer team are interested in helping to gather hay and the contractor who cuts the
grass has agreed to do the work w/c 11th August. This is much sooner than last year and enables JR
to give the Co-op team a date to aim for. Action: JR
17. To review the programme of works for the forthcoming months and agree associated
expenditure. (NH/BR)
*Most of the items of work required have already been agreed or discussed. The soil from the
drainage work needs moving onto the horseshoe circle bank and it was proposed to hire a digger for
two days @ £130 a day. One of these days would be to rectify damage done by WTDB, and for
which they would pay. The other would come from project money to reprofile the horseshoe mound.
This was resolved.
Some new ironmongery may be required on the eastern dog exercise area gate post after it has
been repositioned. It was resolved to spend up to £50 on gate furniture.
NH said up to £100 is required for grass seeds to sow over the mound, otherwise thistles will grow.
This was resolved. Action: NH/BR
18. To receive an update on the proposed bulb and meadow flower planting on 18th October and
agree any actions as required.
The bulbs are now available to order so NH will ask the Clerk to order for September, ready for a
bulb planting day on 18th October. JR will do an item for Cherry News and message the Primary
School and Beavers. 9.30am start until 3.00pm. Participants will ideally bring a trowel, spade or bulb
planter. Action: NH/JR
19. To discuss further ideas for celebrating 10 years of Cherry Fields in 2026 and agree actions
as required.
Suggestions are needed for making things, building things, or finding wildlife. If it is fine, people
could bring a picnic. There was a debate about whether a WC would be needed. First aid cover
would be required. A chain saw artist or similar would be great.
20. To receive an update on the work being undertaken by a WVAP member to create a walk
leaflet for Cherry Fields to be included in LCC’s Countryside Walks for All series.
JR explained that the WVAP member is a member of LCC’s Local Access Forum and has joined the
disability sub-group. As part of her volunteering she is creating a leaflet outlining the all-ability
accessible areas of Cherry Fields. BR and JR met the WVAP member on site to check the accuracy
of the leaflet. The WVAP member reported that she has also been asked if she can source funding
to produce the leaflet. This item is ongoing.
21. To receive an update on matters relating to the roe deer and future sculptures and agree any
actions required.
JR reported that JC has not been able to do any work on the sculptures recently.
CWPC CFC Minutes 17/07/2025 Page 4 of 8
22. To consider a suggestion from a resident about purchasing a metal sculpture for Cherry
Fields.
It was agreed that the sculptures suggested by a resident were very nice, but more suitable to a
domestic setting. If it was decided that we wanted a sculpture, something much more robust would
be needed, which could not be moved or damaged. It was resolved to bear in mind but not pursue
at present as we have more pressing priorities which require funding.
23. To receive brief reports from members on actions/issues arising since the last meeting and
resolve actions required (if not itemised on agenda above and dealt with already):
a. Health and Safety (AG/NH/BR) - Nothing more to report.
b. Grants (HM) - Nothing to report
c. Dyke maintenance (AG) - Nothing to report.
d. Pond maintenance (NH/BR) - Water will be pumped from the reservoir as soon as we have
some suitable rain.
e. General path/track and site maintenance (BR/NH) – Nothing to report.
f. Grass Cutting (NH/BR) - NH says they are still damaging tree trunks with the strimmer. BR said
he has spoken to Glendale and this should stop.
g. Woodland and Meadow Project (NH) - Nothing to report
h. Orchard (NH) - Nothing more to report
i. Dog exercise area and off lead strip - Nothing more to report
j. Wildlife Camera (BR) - BR says the camera needs moving and he will find another appropriate
site.
k. Bike Track (BR) - Nothing to report
l. Car Park and Gate-opening and closing (BR) - NH said the parking studs need repainting.
The car park surface is mainly dust at present.
m. Oasis (CB) - Nothing to report at present.
24. General: Any other matters to report for inclusion in the next agenda.
CB said use of the compostable toilet on volunteer activity days needs to be discussed with the
Oasis. It would be useful for all volunteers.
25. To confirm the dates of the September and November meetings and note the proposed
meeting dates for 2026.
The next meetings were agreed as Monday, 8th September and Wednesday, 12th November.
Both starting at 7pm at the Millennium Hall. Proposed meeting dates for 2026 are Wednesdays at
7pm on 4th February,1st April, 13th May, 8th July, 26th August and 11th November
The meeting closed at 20.59
Signed ........................................
*Additional documents follow as appendices
CWPC CFC Minutes 17/07/2025 Page 5 of 8
Appendix A: Projects budgets update
Available project funds :-
PC projects :-
Originally for Natural play equipment but funds transferred to
dog area drainage as necessary £1,000
Total PC funded projects £1,000
Grants and donations :-
- Carried forward £1,335
- Additional grants and donations £0
Total grants and donations £1,335
Orchard budget :-
- Carried forward) £576
- Additional sponsorship (2 trees) £80
Total Orchard funds £656
Expenditure of PC projects funds
-Dog exercise area drainage £742
- Unallocated £258
Expenditure of grants or donations:-
Purchase of woodland bulbs and plugs £350
Purchase of meadow bulbs and plugs £120
Unallocated £865
Total grant and donation funded projects £0 £1335 £1,335
Expenditure of Orchard funds:-
2 replacement cherry trees (subsequently died in drought) £18
Grease bands etc £100
2 replacement cherry trees £50
Unallocated £488
Total community orchard fund projects £18 638 £656
CWPC CFC Minutes 17/07/2025 Page 6 of 8
Appendix B: Maintenance budgets update
Allocation for contract mowing £1664
Allocation for inspections £100
Allocation for general maintenance £3,000
Earmarked 2024/5 dog drainage funds £358
Funds from 2025/26 Projects budget for dog area drainage £742
CIL monies for dog area drainage £1,700
Total £7,564
Item Actual Estimate Total
Contract mowing (paths and picnic areas):-
April £208
May £208
June £115
July £208
August £416
September £208
October £208
Unallocated £93
Total contract mowing £531 £1,133 £1,664
Inspections:-
Annual cycle track inspection £100
Unallocated £0
Total inspections £100 £100
Other maintenance:-
Witham Third drainage rates £100
Volunteer fuel costs remaining budget (£900 allocated):- £900
Purchase of 10Kg bacterial blanket weed control £111
Fence posts (Oasis fence) £88
Drain maintenance £0
Meadow mowing and tedder hire £350
Hedge maintenance £0
Replacement gate post (oak) including delivery £210
Post installation (postcrete and digger (inc auger) hire) £190
Unallocated £1,051
Total other maintenance £199 £2,801 £3,000
Expenditure of PC dog area funds :-
- Plastic drains (Plastics express) 151
- Plastic drains (Sky plastics) 301
- Landscaping fabric (Easy Merchant) 361
- Gravel 1135
- Screwfix spray paint
Diesel for digger
34
38
- Digger and wacker hire £350
- Volunteer tractor use £430
Total dog area drainage maintenance £2,020 £780 £2800
Total £7,564
CWPC CFC Minutes 17/07/2025 Page 7 of 8
Appendix C: Note of volunteer work undertaken between 1 April and 5 July 2025
Project development
No further project development work has been undertaken.
Maintenance
During the last three months a wide range of maintenance tasks have been completed by the volunteer
group including :-
• 35 more recycled deer tubes have been put on the youngest trees
• The cloud identification board has been installed and seems to be attracting a lot of interest from
visitors
• The last of the broken fence posts have been replaced
• The southern willow arch has been trimmed for a second time this summer
• Chicken wire has been put on the sleeper bridge to improve grip during wet weather
• The main access track hedge has been trimmed back to stop growth impinging on the roadway
• All paths have been regularly monitored and branches etc trimmed back
• The area of river embankment below the benches has been strimmed in line with that done by EA
• At the end of the spring several large clumps of primroses were lifted and divided into individual
plants which are being grown on to replant in the autumn
• Repairs have been made to several areas of path where the planings were wearing thin
• Water was pumped from the reservoir to top up the lagoon on five occasions but the severity of this
summer’s drought has meant that the reservoir has dried out
• A major exercise has been completed to install field drains on the western side of the dog exercise
area and escape-proofing the perimeter fence.
• The cycle rack has been painted green to better blend into its surroundings
• Two dead wild cherry and several rowan trees have been felled
• The broken bottom rail of a picnic table in the castle picnic area has been repaired
• The top of a picnic table, damaged by a barbecue, in the cycle track area has been repaired by
reversing 4 boards
• A bird perch has been erected in the cycle track picnic area in an attempt to deter birds from fouling
the picnic tables.
• Two bird nest boxes have been installed
• Damage to the cycle track caused by motorcycles has been reinstated, graffiti on the viewing mound
bench has been removed and two large dens constructed from site maintenance materials and a
bench seat have been dismantled
• A bad infestation of viburnum beetle caterpillars is being monitored but it is hoped that the guelder
rose plants will recover next year
Orchard
Several of the recycled stakes holding up the fruit cages have snapped and needed replacing.
All of the plum, damson, gage and cherry trees were given a formative pruning in July and all fruit was
thinned to improve the overall yield quality
The two cherry trees, which died last spring of unknown causes, were replaced over winter but did not
survive this spring’s drought. Once sponsorship offers have been confirmed, replacements will be ordered.
Volunteer input (between 1 April and 5 July 2025)
Project development 0 person days
Maintenance 67 person days (of which 38 person days were involved with the dog area drainage work)
Gate opening 9 person days
Total 76 person days
CWPC CFC Minutes 17/07/2025 Page 8 of 8
Appendix D: Project and maintenance work required over the coming months
Project development.
If the proposed “behind the hedge” path link to the Fenland Hideaway comes to fruition, it would
significantly improve the visitor experience to make a link to the path. In this case, an all ability means of
crossing the main drain will be required. Depending on the location selected, it may be possible for the
volunteers to construct this, but there will be a significant materials cost.
Maintenance
The restoration of damage which occurred during the Environment Agency drain cleaning will involve the
hire of a digger for the day (including cleaning out the reservoir) and there may be an opportunity to use up
any spare time to upgrade drainage on the path south of the culvert bridge.
One of the posts holding up the wooden gate on the access track has rotted through and urgently requires to
be replaced. It seems prudent to use oak rather than softwood due to its longer life. The cost will be in the
order of £180. Delivery will be £15 and the cost of Postcrete and the hire of a digger (with an auger) is
estimated to be £190.
The willow tunnels have been gradually increased in height over the years and this winter may be a good
time to give both tunnels a more radical reshaping.
Resurfacing a muddy section of woodland walk near the NE access would improve winter safety. Materials
are already in stock.
The dog area drainage work has created a new seasonal pond, two new mounds and extended the
horseshoe shaped bank. The soil in the horseshoe needs to be profiled – a digger will cost £130 a for day. An
opportunity could be taken to restore these areas with native wildflower seed. Purchasing seed may require
around £100, which may be available from the previously allocated budget for the dog area drainage work.
The gate posts at the eastern end of the dog exercise area need to be reinstalled as they are now out of
alignment. We may have to purchase a new metal latch for it.
There are some ruts on the bike track that need filling with compacted sweepings.
The cycle rack fixings and the timbers of the castle and fort need checking in line with the findings of the
recent annual inspection and action taken as required.
Community orchard
A stockpile of bark mulch still requires to be collected by trailer from a source in the village. Opportunities to
acquire additional free material should however also be taken if tree surgeons are working in the village.