Catch up with 2022 FSP AGM 17 Nov
Held in Shrewsbury House – Present: 15 members, with 3 apologies
Chairperson, Kris Inglis began the meeting with thanks to those attending.
Our local speaker and Dothill allotment holder, Dr Philippa Mason, gave a fascinating talk about the geology under our feet on Shooters Hill and beyond. She is a senior lecturer in Planetary Remote Sensing at Imperial College London but presented very ’down to earth’ explanations of local features and their evolution over billions of years. FACT: The Thames was a glacial river and its glacial tributaries running down the hill became the sites of our oldest woodlands.
A lively Q&A followed and we hope to hear more from Dr Mason in future
Arising matters from last meeting:
- Local Councillor involvement is increasing slowly with the help of Parks Forum
- Signage, permanent and temporary, is being pursued by Committee
- Idea about having an outdoor cinema isn’t feasible without a power source
- Improving links with Shrewsbury House, event by event
- Retaining wall along Plum Lane fixed
Management Committee was introduced and thanked for their efforts as we became more active again post-Covid. This has always been a volunteer position determined by individuals’ interest and time available. Officers are decided by the MC once elected at the AGM. You can volunteer to join the Committee at any time by contacting werfsp@gmail.com
Our dear friend and longstanding Treasurer Sonja O’Sullivan passed on in October. We now need a competent bookkeeper/treasurer to take up the position. They will have help from an aspiring assistant to share the load. This is an URGENT need coming into 2023 so please consider serving in this capacity.
All current members agreed to stand and were elected by members present.
Planned events so far:
- Dec 3 – Daffodil bulb planting (had to be postponed until Jan/Feb)
- 1 April – Bird Walk with Tim Rymer
- 30 April – Dog Show and related activities (postponed from Summer Festival)
- Agreement to fund a commemorative bench or plaque for Sonja -tbc
- 17 February – Barclays Bank volunteer maintenance day along with 10th Royal Eltham Scouts participation
Plans in progress are Foraging Walk, Bat Walk, Military History Walk, Quiz in May, Summer Festival, habitat and wildlife surveys (we need more interested volunteers to join a core group).
All the events and activities in the park need time and effort from as many members as possible to embrace the whole community, including youngsters, to learn and be involved in this vital space. We have over 400 members on the mailing list… and would like to know that everyone feels part of Shrewsbury Park, using it happily, safely and wisely.
Please consider any contribution of hands-on help or ideas you could offer in the new year.
AOB:
- The calendar was rested this year because of slow sales and lack of new entries
- Request that nature camera footage to be posted more often on website
- Tawny Owl box still waiting for installation
- Agreed regular chippings of Dothill paths twice a year -in the works
- Yogathon organiser to be approached for 2023
- Suggestion of Easter Egg Hunt – any volunteers?
We wish everyone a very joyful holiday season and healthy new year.
We’re past the winter solstice so it’s getting lighter towards spring already!
Thank you for caring for and supporting your Park
The FSP Management Committee