Issue - meetings

To note the progress of items discussed at previous meetings of the Joint Management Committee and to receive updates from the voluntary groups.

The Committee received a report detailing the outcome of recent events and updates of ongoing projects including:

·                 South & South East in Bloom – Officers and volunteers were delighted to receive a Silver Gilt Award from the judges, which was particularly noteworthy as unlike its competitors, Nonsuch Park had not been the recipient of Heritage Lottery funding and does not charge an entrance fee.

·                 Fencing in Pinetum – With the assistance of the Nonsuch Voles a second stage application had been submitted to the Suez Communities Trust Landfill Fund for replacement security fencing. 

·                 Heritage Lottery Bid – It was noted that a bid could not be progressed at this time as the required match funding was not available.  However officers were proposing to look at alternative, albeit it smaller funding opportunities and report back at the next Committee meeting.

·                 Members noted that Nonsuch Voles had undertaken repair works of the lawn edging in front of the Mansion and this was in the main due to large vehicles driving over the lawns.  Notices had not been a deterrent and officers agreed to investigate.

In addition to the comprehensive written update from Nonsuch Voles, Friends of Nonsuch and Nonsuch Watch gave verbal updates to the Committee as follows:

Friends of Nonsuch – Gerald Smith from friends of Nonsuch reported that the museum was now closed for the winter with the exception of the gallery which would be open on Sunday afternoons. 

It was noted that timescales for the recent commissioning of a Stucco panel, had slipped and it was now likely to be Spring 2019, and it was hoped that the panel would be in place to coincide with the 60 year anniversary of the Nonsuch dig.

To highlight the relevance of the Farmer memorial seat (commemorating the Farmer brother’s involvement in the Battle of the Somme in World War 1) a silhouette of the silent soldier had been placed next to the seat.

Nonsuch Watch:  Frances Wright from Nonsuch Watch reported that the latest butterfly surveys were available to view, and was pleased to inform the Committee that some rare species had been spotted.

Accordingly the Committee noted the progress of outstanding items and updates from voluntary groups.