SCT Environment Group

Meeting of 1st February 2016

Minutes

Present: Peter Roberts (Chair)& (temp. minutes)David Ashford, Chris Pendlebury, Roger Cottis,Tim Godfrey, Veronica Barrington, Charles Barrington, Andy Neison

Apologies: Alan Drever,Dorothy Jackson, Anita Myatt

1. Previous minutes: The minutes of the meeting of 2nd November were accepted and will be forwarded to the Trust.

2. Matters arising

  • The petty cash has been boosted by a donation from Dorothy who sold unwanted items and gives us a total over £300 to meet expenditure of the Spring programme.
  • Peter has enquired about the current status of the next newsletter. Without anybody to compile, it has been suggestions that a blog be established with news items posted regularly rather than every few months. No timescale for this change has been given and a query to Sharon would be in order.
  • Chris P. has discussed with Chris Marsh about a programme to establish an accurate mapping of the Tormore area which can be carried out once Chris P. has been up skilled.
  • Climate Change report.There was an update on the Climate Change programme from November. Donations from this swelled funds slightly and covered any outstanding costs. The outcome from COP21 wasn’t clear and so there areongoing discussions with people who responded to a follow up note that Peter had circulated.
  • It was noted that the earlier experience from the Clean Sleat Project needed to be unearthed as background to any future initiatives for Climate Change actions.
  • Sea Eagle updateThe situation regarding WTE is that there are now two built sites for nesting away from the harvesting areas although there will be no further harvesting until 2018. The area will need to be avoided to limit any disturbance as they enter the critical time of nesting.
  • Tormore updates. There wasa successful route finding day in January with good support and outline tracks were marked from the Fank to the Forest School’s site. There will need to be a river crossing established near the Fank and tree and brush clearance on the volunteer days.
  • There was discussion of the use of chain saws and Tim agreed to approach Chris Marsh for an up to date view of liabilities etc. There was also a feeling that perhaps we could subsidise a younger person obtaining certification in return for some cutting in Tormore.
  • The approach to the Trust to act on unharvested timber has led to the contractor tidying up most of the accessible logs.
  • There are perhaps 20- 30 aspen seedling which have been grown on locally which will need protection and the volunteer day on the 10th April was identified as a possible planting time once ground preparation had been completed. Protective tubes would be needed and recycled ones are being identified. The issue of deer protection in the longer term will need to be addressed.
  • The use of a stump grinder awaits better weather to assess practicability.
  • There was a question about whether the original replanting schedule had been changed and if the mix of hard and soft woods had also been altered. Alan would very likely know answers to these queries.

3. Spring Programme 2016

There was discussion of the Spring programme and how best to publicise it either individually or the whole programme. The use of WHFP and Seall are already employed. No consensus was reached about overall publicity. There was discussion about events and the following programme was established.

  • Sunday 14th February 10.00 – 4.00Volunteer Day at Tormore – Construction and path making
  • Tuesday 16thFebruary 7.30 Sleat wildlife film Ardvasar
  • Sunday 13th March10.00 – 4.00 Volunteer Day at Tormore – more construction and path making.
  • Saturday 19th March Earth Hour 8.30 – 9.30.It was suggested we show the Sleat Wildlife film at Tarskavaig Hall as a way to highlight the event. Peter to contact Janet to see if this can be achieved at Tarskavaig.
  • Tuesday 22nd March 7.30 TalkbyAlan Watson Featherstone – Rewilding the Highlands at SMO Seòmar Cruinneachaidh.Andy agreed to liaise with Dorothy as back up and also provide accommodation if Roger is away.
  • Monday 4th April Group meeting. 7.00 Trust Offices all welcome
  • Sunday 10th April 10.00 – 4.00 Volunteer Day at Tormore. Planting aspens and further route construction.
  • Monday 11th April 7.30 Talk byPeter Reynolds – The Geology of Sleat and Skye at SMO Seòmar Cruinneachaidh or Ardvasar. (Can Dorothy check with Peter Reynolds whether there is any help needed with the presentation and power point delivery as Roger has offered to help prior to the night.).
  • Sunday 8th May 10.00 – 4.00 Volunteer Day at Tormore
  • Monday 6th June Group meeting. 7.00 Trust Offices all welcome

Public meeting/event about Tormore: Explore.Emma has indicated willingness fora joint public venture between the Forest Schools and the Fank developments at an early summer date

4. Report back from the Board

  • It was noted that the posting of minutes from the Board had lapsed again since May 2015 and these had been missed.
  • The decision to focus on the Armadale developments was mentioned.

5. AOCB

  • The CWA course on 10th February was discussed and Tim and Peter agreed to joint Kat from Renewables subject to spaces being available.
  • Chris to follow up with an approach to Martin Wildgoose, local archaeological expert to find Capisdale settlement and stones for construction of the seat at the Fank.( A good visit carried out on Sunday 7th Feb)
  • CCF funding timescale was noted but it was felt too soon to develop anaquaponics project or micro hydro. There was mention of a polytunnel venture for vegetable growing in Sassaig by “poofs” -producer of our food, and the need to tackle food miles.
  • iScot magazine was circulated which could be useful to local holiday trade see
  • Treemendous fun for children was shared by David who has corresponded with Richard Louv in USA. Thought useful to circulate to Emma and Mary Lou by David.
  • Charles mentioned an initiative by Sam Graham at Calmac of an aerial photo with points of interest to be put up in the ticket office.He will be passed on to Visit Sleat if they are not aware of this idea.

6. The dates for the next two meeting were agreed as Mondays 4th April and 6th June at 7.00