Friends of Ruskin Park

Chair  Veronica Hardstaff - 64 Linaker Road, Sheffield S6 (Tel. 233 5414)

Secretary  Barbara Waterhouse - 106 Cromwell Street, Walkley, Sheffield S6 (Tel. 233 9805)

Minutes of the meeting of the Friends of Ruskin Park, held on Tuesday, 16th March at 7.45 p.m.

Present :  Councillor Veronica Hardstaff (Chair), Barbara Waterhouse, Jillian Missen (SCC), Louise Gower, Keith Gower, Lindsay Berry (Park Rangers), Chris Ireland, Helen Todd, Roanna Heller, Councillor Jonathan Harston, Deb Loasby

1)       Minutes of the meeting held 19^th February 2004  
These were agreed as a correct record.

2)       Matters arising
The percentages of pupils eligible for free school meals at local schools are as follows:
St. Mary’s   27%                  Walkley Primary            25%

3)       Lottery bid
KG and LG circulated details of the bid form as filled in thus far. This was discussed and some amendments agreed. JM pointed out that preparation of the site will cost a fair bit and will need to be done by a landscaping company rather than by the playground equipment suppliers. The cost needs to be included in the bid. We will also need a supervisor to take overall control of the project.

We need to write to Joanne Holland asking her to start deed searches, etc. in preparation for the lease. The letter needs to make clear the area involved and that we intend the council to maintain the equipment and hold the public liability insurance. A copy of the plans should be included.
Action BW, JM

The Park Rangers currently have some documents relating to Friends of Ruskin Park. It would be useful to have a list of these. We also need to locate a good copy of the original planning document.

The possibility of involving the school in monitoring park usage was discussed. HT agreed to run our application past someone experienced in monitoring to get further suggestions.
Action HT  

A further meeting needs to be arranged following a response from Joanne Holland.

4)       Clean up
The annual clean up of the park is to be held on 8^th May. The Rangers will organise the skip. We need to consult Sue Ireland regarding the best means of distributing a poster publicising the event.

5)       Walkley Festival
RH said that Julie Elliott, a development officer, was looking for a project for which to fundraise. This could be some sort of musical event programme for the fun day. The possibility of changing the date for the Ruskin Park fun day to 4^th July to avoid conflict with other events was discussed. This will be done if preparation of Festival publicity material is not too far advanced.
DL and HT agreed to liaise regarding a possible cycling event for the fun day.

6)       Any other business
KG will email Fraser McDermott to thank him for his efforts on our behalf.

7)       Date and time of next meeting
Fun day preparation subcommittee will meet at the Gowers’ house at 8 pm on Wednesday 31^st March. The next monthly meeting, with a focus on progressing the lottery bid, will take place at the Gowers’ house at 8 pm on Wednesday 21^st April.  KG will publicise these dates.