FOWWS Trustees meeting 12 March 2025

Minutes of the Friends of The Scrubs Trustees’

Meeting

Wed 12th March 2025 at 6pm - 7.30 pm in the

Meeting Room W10

Present: Stephen Waley-Cohen (Chair), Smita Davé (treasurer), Carmel

McLoughlin (secretary), , Sarah Abrahart, Sarah Johnson, Ben Novak, Joaquim

Pereira and Emma Ranson.

Apologies: Faye Thomas

1. 2. 3. 4. WSCT next meeting – 18th March Whilst the agenda has been

published, the Manager’s report is not yet available. Stephen will

circulate the papers and link to the meeting to the Friends once

available.

Park Run Route – the existing and alternative routes were discussed. The

value of the Park Run was recognised but it does cause some significant

damage to the Scrubs each week when the ground is wet, and the

amelioration required is a notable financial cost to the WSCT. The

alternative route proposed could be helpful but needs some changes.

The resulting muddy conditions in the winter time prevents other users

from accessing areas of the Scrubs.

FOWWS will suggest that the Park Run should either not take place in the

winter (November – May) or use only the existing hard paths from the

Scrubs Lane Car Park to Braybrook Street and doubling back.

Biodiversity Masterplan – there was much discussion on hard paths,

access paths and their impact on biodiversity, etc. It was agreed that hard

paths: i) to the playground on Braybrook St., ii) from the Hospital out to the

Scrubs via the existing hard path with a circular extension and iii) from the

Scrubs Lane access route north of Martin Bells Wood to the west and then

south to join up with the existing hard path would be helpful and positive

and less likely to attract anti-social use or unduly impact wildlife.

The removal of the hedge by the children’s playground next to LCS during

the Kensington Dragons works was noted and regretted, but the hedge will

be replaced once the new surfaces for the LBHF sports pitches are in

place.5. LNR strategy for the meadow – there is nothing to report on this at

present.

6. AOB – (a) Kate McVay, Ecology Officer with idVerde/RSPB is keen to

repeat the Nature Day which we assisted with in the past.

Possibly Sunday 11th May? We will ask her to suggest some appropriate

activities eg Bat talk, Dawn Chorus, etc. We would also do a membership

drive on the day.

(b) The Dog Show is programmed to take place on Sunday 27th

.July and

Ben will again mastermind with support from other trustees. Ben has

already sent out some emails and has had some positive responses from

Osama and Let, etc. Kieron (Faye’s husband) did a great job as MC last

year and will be asked to perform that function again this year. Met Police

yet to respond. Sarah A will assist in getting the Met to attend with police

dogs. Winkworths will again sponsor and will be asked to provide a

marquee/shelter.

AGM - The last AGM was in June 2024 and it was agreed that the AGM

this year should take place in late September, which will give enough time

for the documents to be circulated after the Summer break.

Date of Next Trustee meeting: TBC