We have three new nominations, Margaret Titcom, Paul Hughes and Malcolm Flynn for the committee.  Jon Walsh has left the area his resignations has been accepted.

The importance of being an environment group is all about protecting our  environment. To be part of Keep Wales Tidy we need to be actively  doing projects towards improving  our environment and community. Participating in projects will help to  keep the funding amassing. If we do nothing then we will not earn grants and funds, that is how it works.  We need money for insurances, web & manager, stationery, telephone calls, computer inks and postage, hence us doing other projects as well as the nature reserve.

We also give refreshments to volunteers who travel to work on our site. No monies have been removed from the kitty towards this cost, it has come from my pocket so the funds in our group stay in place for the most essential items, as stated. 
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all volunteers who's names I can remember, and applaud them for ongoing work on and around the site and within our town. Mike Theaker our project manager,  Dave Seager, Dave Williams, Peter Middleton, Gareth Jones, Paul Hughes,Mervin and Gill Roberts, Colin Holmes, Haydon Parry, Linda Ash, Mari Todd, Eleanor Parry,  Eileen Mayhall, Geraldine Griffiths, Mike & Jean Demack, Jacqui, Trisha, Margaret Titcom, Ronny Wilson,Doreen Major, Sheila Hall,  Haydon Parry, Ian Brisco, Caerwyn Davies and all the girls and boys that have cleaned up the site and completed lots of litter picks. I applaud them all especially the ones who do not wish to be named. I do have a list, and I wish to thank them for all  ongoing works on site, they are not committee or meeting people but they are very good volunteers who will turn up to help out when asked.  All our volunteers work hard and we welcome everyone and anyone  on site who wishes to join in the development of The Rhuddlan Nature Reserve, which will be a Jewel  in Rhuddlan's  crown once it has been developed.   

Anyone wishing to join in on Saturday at the carnival  to help raise funds for the cancer unit and launch the Walkers are Welcome status for Rhuddlan are very welcome. We start down at the site at 10.30am for the walkers are welcome in Rhuddlan launch. We have Reg  Davies, our mayor, and consort Kate, also  Elsie Powell mayor of St Asaph and consort Barry, Malcolm Wilkinson the Chairperson of WAW,  the Prestatyn ATC band, Splitz and Sequins - Sara Yelesen,  Brian Hemming county lead walker, Walkers from St Asaph and Rhuddlan walking for health groups, Chris Grier, RWF and an Environment float, trailer kindly offered for our use by Paul and Sybil  Williams. The float is being towed by Mervin Roberts and constructed by Freddie and Mervin, decorations by me and  our grandchildren, two butterfly queens and a king bumble be. On the field we have Punch and Judy donated by Raymond and Anita Fagan,  Allison's academy karate exhibition, face painting by Mel Bonnet a beautician from our Town, frog in a bog inspired by Paul Hughes, Show Time with the disco dancers coach and trainer Sara Yelesen from Rhuddlan, Vintage Cars arranged by Hayden Parry, the ATC band from Prestatyn lead by Sam Housam and an awful lot more that the PTA have arranged. Perhaps Andy could let everyone know what else is on. Unfortunately Andy had to leave to go to the next meeting of the PTA.

It was agreed previously at the Walkers are Welcome meeting that any money collected would go to the Cancer Unit. The PTA will also be raising funds for the school. It was agreed that we could do our good deed for this year on Carnival Day by the PTA. I can say it has been a great pleasure working with Ian and Andy of the PTA.  I hope our group can raise lots of money for the unit. Do we have any volunteers to help with the fund raising buckets?  Names please after the meeting. 

The funds for the WAW  launch have not come out of REG kitty. It  was raised separately. All the funds accounted for on launch  day will go towards this good cause. All these arrangements had been made whilst working towards the walking festival and launch day. Paul Hughes our web manager who is still on holiday has been a great support. He designed our flyers and poster and he also designed the posters and flyers for the new Walking Festival Group. Our first walk leaves Rhuddlan Castle at 1pm and will be led by Brian Hemming and Linda Ash as the back marker. The second walk leaves at 1.30pm and is led by Susan Hilton and Helen Furneaux. After the launch  on Saturday, Chris Grier will form a committee and  he  will be in a better position to raise funds for the festival. At the moment The walking festival  launch will start on 4th July and if any one is interested in the walks contact Chris on 591 365.  Brian Hemming takes walkers out every week. Anyone interested in joining his walks just let me know and I will pass on your information. Any members who are interested in getting out to meet people, enjoy the company and keep fit, just leave your number and someone will get in touch with to provide the information. The walks are being promoted in most  towns in Denbighshire. Walking towards  good  health projects operate weekly.  Brian Hemming is a county walker leader and works very hard, and is entirely  voluntary. If anyone wishes to go on the lead walker programme on the 24th July at 10pm in the Rhyl sports centre please give me your name at the end of the meeting.

The Rhuddlan Castle group have extended a warm welcome to any member who wishes to attend an open evening at the Castle free of charge. Refreshments will be laid on by Jayne who wishes to promote her projects and friendship between groups. This event will take place on 18th June at 7pm and Naomi will give a talk on the history of the castle. Anyone who wishes to attend give me your name at the end of the meeting or ring Jayne on 590 727. If it rains it will be called off until July. All members who wish to attend will be informed if it is called off.

We are earning money from the WhiteBox fund but we could earn a lot more if everyone with a computer used the whitebox site. I can confirm that it does not affect anything except the groups pocket.  We gain every time we use it.  I have the information and I can give it to you, or come around and put it on your computer. Hands up please any member  who wants me to e-mail the details. Freddie will take e-mail addresses.   

Anymore dog signs required? - I have just made a new batch.
Please collect them after the meeting.

Any members wishing to join the Water framework directive workshop at the Kimnel Manor Wednesday 10th June 10am they are welcome any names to put forward after the meeting please.  

We are waiting for news about a mini bus for the outing to Liverpool to view the flower meadows in bloom.   So far the costs have been quite high(£200).  We will telephone members when we have more news on the mini bus.

The LNR meeting has provided us with very little to offer to the group.So far, Countryside Services have stated that they are unable  to  accept responsibility for the  30 metres of road with the mounds of rubbish and clay. We know It is a Highways responsibility for clearing the mess and Highways are now saying that they want  to retain responsibility for this part of the site. They want to  keep it as a holding depot.  I have given the news to  councilor Selwyn Thomas who will read out the e-mail from Mr P Jones. Selwyn has been supporting our group and his vision of the reserve and ours is the same. Selwyn read out the e-mail. The group made quite a lot of objections to the e-mail. We, Barbara and I,  at the LNR meeting  claim that Highways organised the tipping of  the old mounds  of rubbish which had been  fly tipped on the Muller site and the  importation of both the clay mounds and rubbish should be removed by them. They imported  it to our site for the rejected recycling centre. DCC/ Highways should clear it away. If they need to claim funds from the county, so be it. It is not realistic to leave it any longer. They should have taken it away months ago as promised. We are now being informed that it will be removed shortly but when it has been removed Highways want this area as a holding depot.  This was not agreed before we started work on the site. The whole site was to become a Nature Reserve and it was agreed and accepted by us and DCC.  The verbal contract and agreement did not mention at any time for a depot to be retained. We have also been given a map which includes a stone and dust path around the flower meadow field and across the wet field. We have been around quite a lot of sites reserves/parks with stone and dust paths and they are an ongoing maintenance problem. The map also shows a cycle path through the site and a picnic area on the T junction, directly opposite the KFC. It was noted that Countryside Services could not pay for the rubbish collection fees, which Howard stated could be around £3.5K. They do not have the funds to pay for this service.  Selwyn confirmed these facts had been reported at the LNR meeting.  Wenna, asked who recommended a picnic area? Brenda reported she was not sure about who wants it, but if it is going to be opposite the KFC it is clear it is going to be a problem with rubbish on site. The KFC is just over the road and it would be a problem because the KFC  was a drive in/out  establishment. Maggie asked why would it cause a problem on the site. Brenda reported that it would be a great temptation to eat food in the  picnic area just a short distance across the road from the KFC.  We would be inundated with rubbish, Seagulls and vermin, and  who would be held responsible for the  removal of the mess.  Who do we think is  going to pay for the collection of the rubbish? It could cost  £4 per bag. Who would check  out how many times a week they would need emptying? It would be monumental mistake to have a picnic area directly opposite the KFC and also It is a responsibility that Barbara and I want nothing do with. Selwyn reported it may be better to fulfil our aspirations at the next meeting on the 17th July.  Brenda reported to Selwyn that we both made an agreement at the  previous meeting, held on site 3rd May,  which was to go to the meeting and come back with all the information.  Barbara and Brenda wanted the views of the group and residents before going to the next meeting to be made clear to them.  A debate took place and the majority at the meeting rejected the holding depot, stone and dust paths,  cycle path and the picnic area.  Dave Seager asked could we get our MP to intervene in this situation with D.C.C.  Brenda reported that  so far she had brought Elflaw up to speed and was waiting for an answer or recommendations from them. I have also spoken to the  Wildlife Trust about how it will affect the wildlife, and they will be getting back to us.  Our MP had attended the LNR meeting along with 4 members of our town council.  I am unhappy about what is going on and will report the groups feelings at the next meeting.  Selwyn reported that  Ray Fagen will undoubtedly involve himself in this situation as the chairman of the committee.  A show of hands was  against the holding depot, cycle path, picnic area, and stone and dust paths.

Barbara read out the financial situation which was  a very healthy bank balance thanks to Brenda's hard work in sourcing grants. Brenda reported that Barbara had helped her all along and the members and also residents that supported the raffle should also be applauded by the group. Barbara read out parts of the proof report from Landlife. The recommendation is to cut the wildflower meadow and the water meadow several times  from now until the end of summer and in July to cut in strips to leave cover for emerging butterflies.  The bluebell glen needs constant and immediate management as it is full of invasive nettle and brambles which needs cutting and spraying with Roundup, that's if we want to achieve our vision of a nature glen with new trees and plants, such as bluebell, primrose and snowdrops. All of these will thrive in the dappled shade but we need to start work immediately.  Brenda did report at the LNR meeting that we needed to use Roundup but it was rejected. Brenda did  explain that  we had tried to remove/clear a small area ourselves but it was  far too difficult and strenuous for our volunteers, and the  Inversion treatment was far too expensive. The scan of the area had brought to our attention drains, BT cables etc and therefore it was not safe to use machinery in the glen area.  Also we have no guarantee that we would remove all of the roots. It would be unfair to ask volunteers to take on this work when it could easily be removed with Roundup and it was more effective and less labor intensive. Barbara went on to report that we as a group have the funds to do this work. As far as we are concerned the LNR meeting was quite negative the only good thing was Raymond becoming Chairperson.  We have sent e-mails in the past and delivered a letter by hand on the 26th February asking when all the rubbish and clay  would all be taken away. We had been promised an answer but none had been forthcoming despite  several telephone calls and e-mails - until today.  Brenda reported that  Selwyn at the LNR meeting had promised to progress DCC on this matter.
What do the group want us to do? Do you want us to involve others, or do you want us to wait until after the next LNR meeting on the 17th July?  and then call another meeting to bring you all up to speed.  By then I should also have a response from Elf Law.

A majority vote was to wait until after the 17th July.
Brenda summarised the report from the LNR meeting and what the offer on the table was -  a holding depot, stone and dust paths in both fields, a cycle path through the site, a picnic area at the T junction but no funds for collection service from the county for bins/dog or litter. KFC will not contribute towards the collections,  but they will clear up around the KFC. We wish to use Roundup to assist with the clearance of unwanted weeds and it is clear that others think this is not on. We do not have resources for invasion treatment.   Barbara and I need to be clear on what the group want to achieve from the next LNR  meeting in July.

Could you please  let me know if this is a correct understanding of what you do not want on the site.  All hands went up for a majority vote to go back to the meeting and inform the committee what has been reflected by the group.

Brenda reported regarding the funding from The Big lottery. If we do not use it up within 12 months the funds will need to be returned. Also the CADW grant for the signs needs negotiating urgently with the LNR committee.  We will come back on this one because the offer from CADW should have been used by now and we could end up loosing it. CADW have extended the offer 3 times now whilst things get sorted out with DCC, but they will not allow it to carry on. We had been supposed to use the funds within two months, and it was given to us in November.  

Barbara reported that when the Landlife report came out we would make copies and report back.  We had a proof copy but it needed more information on it.

Elections.
We have three new nominations, one member had left the area and two committee members had not confirmed they wish to continue. Mike asked if he could continue on the committee and it was accepted. Helen announced she wanted to stand down. Helen's resignation was accepted and the group voted to accept new nominations.   All previous committee members wish to continue and new members who have applied are Paul Hughes, Margaret Titcom and Malcolm Flynn. 

Full Committee:
Andy Smith, Barbara Borders, Bill Holt, Brenda & Freddie Taylor, Dave Tomkins, George Williams, Mervyn and Jill Roberts, Mike & Jean Demack, Susan Hilton, Margaret Chapman, Margaret Evans, Margaret Titcom, Paul Hughes and Malcolm Flynn.