Parish Council
Sticklepath Moor Nature Reserve Committee Draft Minutes of the meeting of 1st October 2026
Sticklepath Moor Nature Reserve Committee
Draft Minutes of the meeting 6.30 pm
1st October 2026, Sticklepath Village Hall
- Attendance: Cllr Moore ( Chair;) Cllr Powell, Rob Sewell, Malcolm Learmonth
- Apologies: Lauren Weller
- Derek noted that the date of the Committee was agreed at the last meeting, minutes published but no reminder issued
- Minutes of the last meeting: These were reviewed and signed as a true record
- Update on the Project Plan:
- Rob indicated that there continued to be significant progress on the Moor, mainly thanks to StOC days. It was noted that the Moor remains quite dry following the heat wave, and even with some recent rain. However, the dams/bunds do seem to be working well.
- Rob presented the Liability Policy Statement for acceptance. Agreed
- The information re Mine Workings is now complete and will uploaded to the Council OneDrive.
Action: Rob to approach DNPA Ranger again for a warning notice and bird nesting sign.
- County Wildlife Site designation.
Action: Derek to add to information on OneDrive and Website.
- Surveying Reports:
- Rob will continue to collate data and share with Lauren who has agreed to produce a database:
- Chris Walpole monthly bird survey
- Jake and Melinda moth survey
- Jake record of bats
- The Bioblitz
- Lauren/Simon Bates grassland survey
- Derek to approach Matt Perkins, 2nd November
- StOC workdays
Stoc were able to commit 2 extra days work during the summer: additional bunds/leaky dams already. Some scrub clearance by a mixed ability group.
StOC have left piles of cut gorse which could be disposed of on the Village Work Day. There may not be another StOC day in the coming Quarter.
Actions: Rob to contact Mike Gratton to arrange hedge laying
Derek to convey vote of thanks for this work
- Action Plan:
Rob is still hoping to contact local person who might be able to flail the Moor. Rob is still liaising with a local farmer.
Contacts for grazing – Derek has discussed a possibility with local farmer who grazes the pillow mounds.
Derek has approached a farmer who has a contact with Highland cattle who might be interested.
The Committee favoured grazing as this disturbs the soil,
Actions: Rob will review the boundaries in preparation for grazing but he could also provide temporary fencing/barbed wire.
Jake to contact Tom Snelgrove re long-term planning for hedgelaying.
Derek to contact Molly re the approaches to Rewilding Britain grazing scheme and potential interest in grazing.
Lauren to approach farmer in South Zeal.
- Publicity: Rob presented a release for the Beacon. It was agreed to offer a group photo with the signage
- Funding: FIPL funding is only available for capital projects, and the Committee considered that there needed to be more work on this; specifically to manage tree management on the boundaries
Lauren to continue to seek funding opportunities
Derek raised concerns that the gate/entrance is flooded and muddy, whereas the Moor is drier. Consideration of diverting the stream and/or bridge at next meeting.
- Date of Next Meeting: Thursday 14th January 6.30pm Village Hall