Cherry Fields Committee Minutes 2026

Minutes of Cherry Willingham Parish Council’s Cherry Fields Committee

held on Wednesday, 4th February 2026 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, B. Robinson, P. Burke J. Trahearn, and co-opted members: C. Bochel, A Gardner, N. Hooper, D. Leonard and H. McCowan. (Initials used in minutes below.)

1. To note and record apologies and absences.

Apologies were received from Cllr Burge.
 

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 Wednesday, 12th November 2025 and approve as Minutes.
   The Minutes were approved.

4. To receive a report on the Expenditure v Budget figures to date.  (NH)
   *NH presented the project and maintenance budgets.  Some items are still to be agreed with the RFO. Some items have been done but not recorded yet, e.g. H&S inspection and WTDB annual cost. Less money has been spent on tractor fuel so far this year. Nearly all the grass cutting budget has been spent.
   The project work on the Behind the Hedge project is progressing and legal fees will have to be paid.
    

5. To receive an update on matters relating to potential grant applications and donations. (HM)

HM said the main success recently was by NH who had been successful with his applications for free hedging for the BHP scheme. Thank you for this.
HM said it is nearly 12 months since the last application to Wickes so is worth trying again. It has previously been suggested asking for timber preservative for the bridge. This is still needed.  Grippa gloves were also suggested.
JR has received an email from the Co-op about their community scheme.  They would like some photos of the group and of how grant money has been spent.  Action: HM

6. To receive an update on actions to show the main track from the road to the river as a permissive path on OS Leisure maps and agree any actions as required.
   BR has been in further discussions with the LCC Public Rights of Way and Access Manager. This is a slow process and is still on-going.
    

7. To receive an update regarding the potential new lease of the Oasis area to Green Synergy.
   The PC will be debating this next week, but BR/JR explained the recent developments regarding the Deed of Covenant, TP1 and Overage costs. There was a long discussion on this subject. It is becoming much more complicated than originally planned, with potentially a lot more costs to the PC.  CF members were therefore becoming more uneasy about the situation.
   It was agreed unanimously that the area could be reabsorbed into the CF site if this is what the PC decides. Action: BR
    

8. To receive an update on the potential “behind–the–hedge” path and agree any actions and expenditure as required.

JR thanked all the CF volunteers and other residents who helped plant 1 km of hedging recently. Particular thanks to NH who masterminded the scheme and did lots of preparation prior to the events. NH said that 32 person days had been spent in total and some new people came to help.
The budget for the scheme has been approved and should be carried forward into next year.  It was noted that stone will need to be ordered to improve the drainage of the wet sections of path; this is in addition to the stone required for the Woodland Walk.
Signs were discussed and these will be ordered soon.  The EA has approved one of the signs, and the requirement for others was discussed. Action: JR

An official opening ceremony was also discussed and JT suggested this could be part of the 10th anniversary celebrations.
New fencing is required for some areas, but there is already timber to make about two thirds of that required.     Action: BR/NH
A H&S inspection will be required, but it was decided that this should be done separately from the CF inspection.  It could be done less frequently, along with litter picking.
Dog waste bins were suggested at Henry’s access gate and Fenland Hideaway gate.  WLDC will need to be asked if they could be included on their route.  A litter bin was also recommended.
It was also suggested that LCC be asked to provide finger post “permissive path” signs for each end and each side of the Fenland Hideaway entrance. Action: JR

BR has asked HW about cutting the roadside hedge. It is too wet at present, and he will wait until the ground is firm. Action: BR
 

9. To receive an update on the work being undertaken to create a walk leaflet for Cherry Fields for inclusion in LCC’s Countryside Walks for All series.
   A proof of the front page has been produced and circulated. Well done to Lucy for producing this leaflet.  The route map is still being done.  JR said the hedge by the pedestrian access next to the wooden gate would need to be regularly trimmed to ensure free access for wheelchair users.           

10. To agree any new signage required and associated expenditure.
    This has already been discussed under item 8.
     

11. To receive a report on work undertaken since the last meeting. (NH/BR)
    *NH presented the report, which was noted.  Many thanks to all the volunteers for keeping going, even during the recent bad weather.  NH said that 11 volunteers were present yesterday.
     

12. To review any matters arising from recent H & S inspections and agree any actions still required.
    AG did an inspection in December and HM in January.  The following rota was agreed:
    February – DL, March – BR/JT, April – CB, May – PB/JT, June – NH, July – AG.
    JR reported that, during the recent cold spell, the ice around the pond edges had been broken by members of the committee/volunteer team, as per the council’s Water Body Safety Management Policy.  She asked members to keep an eye on the ponds in any future icy conditions.

13. To review the programme of works for the forthcoming months and agree associated expenditure. (NH/BR)
    *NH presented the report of work required.
    The exit path in the NE corner is very muddy and mud is coming up through the stoned surface from below.  This stretch needs rebuilding when weather permits.  The membrane is already in stock, but rubble will be required. Rubble could also be used where the new bridge is going to be built, so sufficient could be ordered for both areas. New stakes for the orchard were recently purchased but most of these have now been used.  NH requested approval for 20 more wooden stakes at a cost of no more than £40.  This was approved and will come from the orchard budget. Action: NH/BR

14. To discuss further ideas for celebrating 10 years of Cherry Fields in 2026 and agree actions as required.
    The weekend of 4/5 July 2026 has been set aside for an event.
    NH will do some guided walks.  JR explained about a lady who does Forest church events.  She could do one session on each day.  Vince the forager would be ideal, but his contact details are required.  Photographs of wildlife and plants around the site could be requested from residents in digital format so they can be available to see on a tablet or similar.
    The idea of an official opening of the BHP taking place on the Saturday had been suggested as above.
    BR will be doing bike trials.  JR said one accessible WC would be required for the two days.  It was agreed that this could be ordered.  JR to write something for the Cherry News. Action: JR
     

15. To review the description of Cherry Fields on a DogPack website and consider requesting a revision to make it clear that dogs must be on a lead in most areas of the Fields.
    NH found this website and its mention of Cherry Fields. The description suggests that dogs can run freely around the site, although they actually have to be on a lead except in two areas.  It was agreed to request that the Clerk write to the site administrator to make amendments. Action: JR
     

16. To receive an update on matters relating to the roe deer and future sculptures and agree any actions required.
    JR reported that there was no recent update.

17. 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):
     

1. Health and Safety (AG/NH/BR) – JR has received a request from a group to bring a camp kettle to CF for a small event in April.  We do not allow individual members of the public to use BBQs, but as this is an organised event and if this is a Calor gas stove, placed on bricks and supervised at all times, it was agreed that they could do this.  The area would have to be checked after to make sure there was no remnants of a fire.         Action: JR

1. Grants (HM) – Nothing further to report

1. Dyke maintenance (AG) – Recent activity by WTDB was discussed.  They were working on the bank of the North Delph, not on Cherry Fields.  They have removed one of the kingfisher perches.

2. Pond maintenance (NH/BR) – BR has cleared the lagoon overflow to allow water to drain away. Further rodding will be required.     Action: BR

1. General path/track and site maintenance (BR/NH) – Nothing to report.

1. Grass Cutting (NH/BR) – Glendale have won the tender for village grass cutting again.  NH requested that they do not mow either side of the woodland walk as too many trees have been damaged in the past and it is not necessary now. 

2. Woodland and Meadow Project (NH) – Nothing to report

3. Orchard (NH) – Nothing to report 

4. Dog exercise area and off lead strip – JR reported that two Parish Cllrs recently removed 5Kg of dog excrement from the exercise area which owners had not removed.
   Users have reported that the new drainage system is working well. Thank you to the team involved.

1. Wildlife Camera (BR) – Nothing to report

5. Bike Track (BR) – Nothing to report

6. Car Park and Gate-opening and closing (BR) – One lock has recently been replaced but a spare one is required. It was resolved that a new lock could be purchased.

7. Oasis (CB) – JR reported that the cats have been successfully relocated to a farm and are settling in well.  Thanks to Becky Bee for arranging this.

18. General: Any other matters to report for inclusion in the next agenda.
    JR said some new Parish Council Volunteer Gilets were needed.  Action: JR

19. To confirm the date of the next meeting as Wednesday, 1st April 2026 at 7pm.

This was noted.

The meeting closed at 20.55

Signed ………………………………….

*Additional documents follow as appendices

Appendix A: Projects budgets update

Appendix B: Maintenance budgets update

Appendix C Note of volunteer work undertaken between 3 November 2025 and 25 January 2026

Project development

No further project development work was undertaken.

Maintenance

During the last 12 weeks the volunteer group has completed a few maintenance tasks including :-

• Repairing path surfaces where the fabric was showing

• Cutting back the badly overgrown willow tunnels to ground level. This will allow the plants to shoot again and be more easy to maintain.

• Planting native wild flower plants around the new (dog area drainage) pond.

• Replacing 20 recently planted trees which failed to survive the 2025 drought.

• Dog area eastern gate adjusted in response to user notification of difficulty opening.  (However, a longer term solution is required. )

• During the freezing conditions volunteers checked the ponds and broke the ice to reduce the chances of anyone venturing onto the ice.

The range of tasks has been limited by the poor weather, holiday period and the focus of activities on the new Behind the Hedge Path since the new year.

Community orchard

Two fruit trees were planted in the orchard. These were sponsored to replace two (non-sponsored) trees which had previously died (possibly from a combination of insect borne pathogens and drought stress).

Behind the Hedge Path

A permit has been obtained from the Internal Drainage Board to construct a 700mm culvert to provide a long term access from Cherry Fields,

The volunteer group has begun preparing an access from Cherry Fields, punched through a number of hedges, cleared several overgrown access points, accurately measured and marked the 5 metre strip, ploughed the proposed new hedge line, rolled out and anchored over a kilometre of landscape fabric and cut slits for planting.  Over 100 non-hawthorn shrubs were planted to increase biodiversity. 

Two very successful community events were held on 17 and 24 January to complete the planting and protection of the new hedge. 

A temporary wooden bridge was assembled and installed to allow volunteers and members of the public to cross the main drain for planting activities, but to discourage public access until the path is formally open, this has now been removed.

Volunteer input (between 3 November 2025 and 25 January 2026)

Project development 0 person days 

Maintenance 11 person days 

Gate opening 8 person days

Total Cherry Fields 19 person days

Behind the Hedge Path (including members of the public) 32 person days

Appendix D Project and maintenance work required over the coming months

Maintenance 

The plastic inlet drainage pipe for the new dog area drainage pond is rather unsightly and, as soon as the water level falls, a stone revetment will be constructed using material donated by the IDB.

Over the remaining Winter months, the volunteers will be continuing to coppice the fast-growing willows and other shrubs and, as time permits, laying more of the track-side hedge. A few of the more overcrowded sections of woodland in Cherry Holt will also be thinned. No costs are expected to be involved in any of these woodland management activities.

As soon as ground conditions are suitable and plant is available, work will commence on constructing the proposed downhill cycle track. Other than the use of volunteer vehicles, no costs are anticipated.

The path leading from the entrance to the Woodland Walk is very muddy and needs refurbishment by additional planings/stone. 

The main car park is showing signs of wear and resurfacing will be required in the spring/summer.

Despite frequent maintenance, potholes have re-established themselves on the interface between the Fiskerton Road and the start of the main track.  Regular refilling will continue but a permanent solution would be better.

The eastern pedestrian gate to the dog exercise area needs more adjustment to allow it to be open and closed easily.

Project development

Although the first stage of the Behind the Hedge Path (BHP) project, planting a hedge, has been completed, a number of additional requirements of the lease will need to be put in place before the path can be opened to the public. These include :-

• Cutting back the inside face of the roadside hedge

• Relocating the agricultural double gates

• Ordering and installing relevant signage

• Constructing a pedestrian access through the Fenland Hideaway fence

• Blocking the four small gaps between the existing and newly planted hedges (to avoid inadvertent public trespass onto the agricultural fields)

• Building a culvert on the main Cherry Fields drain

During preparation for the hedge planting it became apparent that several lengths of the leased land, particularly in the field next to Cherry Fields, were extremely wet. This is likely to be seasonal, but unless addressed, will limit winter use of the path. It would therefore be prudent to discuss the drainage options with the Environment Agency and adjoining tenant farmer. It may be necessary to raise short sections of path with suitable hardcore. The cost of this work will become clearer once the preferred drainage option has been agreed. 

The proposed culvert, crossing the main drain near the wooden gate, will be installed using materials that are either available from stock or expected to be donated. The purchase of timber and fixings to construct safety rails, using the established BHP budget, has already been agreed by the committee. 

Timber and fixings to block the four gaps between existing and new hedges may also require to be purchased.

Community orchard

Broken stakes on the deer protection baskets will continue to be replaced from the stock purchased in 2025.