ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP

Environmental Working Group

Minutes of Meeting: Monday 14 th April 2008 at 2 pm

 

1.    Welcome and Apologies

Present: R.Thorp (Ch), B.Payne, J.Moore, D.Jones, S.Evans, Bryn Roberts (Ass't Greenkeeper),

Apologies: A.Wood, C.Latter, T.Jackson.

 

2.    Minutes and Matters Arising

The minutes of the meeting on 14 th January 2008 were agreed and there were no matters arising, not covered by items on the agenda.

 

3.    BIGGA Golf Environment Competition

The Group discussed the use of the £500 prize. In our presentation we had said that it would be used for funding small environmental projects on the course. It was agreed however that if the Course Committee wished to use it as part funding of a larger environmental project, such as a pond, there would be no objection.

 

4.   Cheshire Wildlife Trust

The CWT have arranged for a ponds ecologist, Dr Mike Tynen, to survey our ponds, starting at 0930 on Friday May 2. The visit is free of charge and represents a good example of the mutually beneficial relationship between the CWT and the Club.

The Group was pleased to hear John Hinnegan's positive support for our membership of the CWT expressed at the recent AGM of the Club.

 

5.   Eco Audit

It was noted that the Eco Audit refers mostly to the Clubhouse rather than the course. Follow-up action lies in the hands of the Board and the Secretary.

6.    Treatment of Long Rough

A cutter, spinner and bailer have now been purchased and the first cut is expected in mid-July.

SE suggested that a 2 nd cut may be possible. She also suggested that some bails be left on the ground in remote areas as this would be beneficial to wildlife. She further suggested that the best way to dispose of the bails would be to contact a wholesale hay dealer just before cutting and he would come and collect it in bulk. She mentioned Corbetts of Malpas. They would probably pay about £1 to £1.50 per bail, depending on quality. JM thought we might be a bit small for Corbetts.

 

7.   Ponds/Wetlands

The Group discussed the form in which the proposed pond on the 6 th hole could be developed. Options considered were:

•  a large open pond as proposed by the Architect;

•  a large open pond with an island;

•  a large open pond with an island and two bridges crossing the pond via the island;

•  a pond in an hourglass shape with a bridge over the middle narrow part.

 

Option 1 would lead to considerable wear and tear from traffic passing either side of the pond; there would also be some danger from the 7 th tee for those passing to the right. The pathway to the left of the pond, under the oaks, could be widened to take more traffic. A bridge, or bridges, crossing the pond would eliminate these problems. On the other hand bridges could look too fussy as the pond is not that large. Options 1 or 4 were generally favoured.

It was agreed that a pond rather than a wetland should be constructed. The problem with a wetland is that it would quickly fill with reed-mace and require regular maintenance.

 

The swan platform has again been strawed. The prospect for swans using it however is not good as no less than 4 swans have recently been found dead on the canal nearby; the main culprit is thought to be mink. The deck of the platform is now partially under water and the alternatives are to lower the overflow pipe of the pond or to raise the platform. Bryn said he would arrange for the platform to be raised by a few inches.

 

8.    Trees

SE asked if the young trees could be sprayed earlier in the season so as to avoid the need for mowing around them and hence the risk of causing damage. Bryn said he would look into it. SE will look into the possibility of providing some form of protection cage.

 

9.    Wild Flowers

The success of the bluebells planted last November encourages us to plant more next autumn and also some wild daffodils.

 

10.    Bird Boxes

Following the request in Eaton Outlook, four tit boxes and three bat boxes have been presented by Members. Two tit boxes have been fixed either side of the clubhouse and it is proposed that two more be fixed by the car park pond. CWT literature suggests that the three bat boxes should be installed together on the same tree; a suitable place would be an oak tree on the right of the 5 th hole.

 

11.    Club Website

BP commented that the changes to the environmental pages introduced by Mary Thorp were excellent, and the only suggestion to be made was that the link to the bird sightings section should be made more prominent.

BP has requested that a summary of the “Environmental Management Plan” be posted on the website. RT will attend to this in due course.

 

12.    Eaton Outlook

The next copy date is May 22. Suggestions on possible articles were requested. SE offered an article on hay-making, possibly after the first cut has been taken.

 

13.   A.O.B.

None.

 

14.    Next Meeting

The next meeting has been tentatively fixed for Tuesday July 15 at 2pm.

Cc Environmental Working Group

Course Committee