Notes from Rothbury CAN meeting 8.3.26
Present: Katie, Matthew, Cathy, Andrew, Liz, Tom, Mike Axtell, Ray Aplin, Paul Barratt, Chris Brooking.
Feedback from Groups Tom Atkin's feedback follows, very well received by the meeting. We had a brief discussion on the event.
Newcastle University research project about Rothbury's public grassed areas
Newcastle University PhD student Tom Atkins explains the project and encourages your involvement!
Newcastle University are interested in the community's opinions and views regarding public grassed areas in Rothbury. Looked after by the Parish Council in some areas, and the County Council in others, as well as different organisations, these pockets of green amongst the hardstanding are important to people for a variety of reasons, such as aesthetic interest, picnicking, recreation, and wildlife-watching. We are keen to understand how the community uses and values public grassed areas through a series of community workshops in 2026 and 2027.
In February, we successfully ran two workshops in the Jubilee Hall in which around twenty-five members of the community came together to discuss Rothbury's public grassed areas. Many interesting topics were brought up and these sessions directly contributed to university research into the public's opinions of green space management.
Over spring and summer 2026, with the support of Rothbury Parish Council, we are temporarily changing the gardening of three small grassy areas near the High Street to investigate what happens to the wildlife there. This forms part of our research project. Thanks to the help of the gardeners, the areas are still being looked after during this trial, after which it is expected that the previous management will resume. Keep an eye out for these areas in the village!
Following the summer, a second set of workshops will be held to hear the community's opinions on these changes. You are welcome and encouraged to join us at any of these workshops regardless of whether you joined us at the first set. We would like to hear about what's important to you in public grassed areas and your preferences towards the gardening and management. If you would like to learn more about this university project or register your interest in attending a community workshop after summer 2026, then please see our website and sign up for information:https://www.ncl.ac.uk/nes/news/events/event-items/coquetdale-workshop/ Green Spaces and Nature in Coquetdale
Lichen/Slime Mould Group
Joanne Burke is willing to take groups out occasionally, but needs help with the planning and organisation of this. ACTION: LICHEN GROUP please let me know if you will help.
Suggestion: Action: Contact Marjory re her Botany Group. Could these two groups join together?
Katie will draw MD's attention to these notes, and ask for comment.
Sustainable Energy and Transport
Cathy gave an update on the project development of getting a green energy source for Rothbury. They are to complete a feasibility study for community energy. MA said he had a contact at Northern Powergrid, and he will put Cathy in touch. Cathy recommended Humshaugh website.
JOY agreed to join the group for the Transport bit.
PROJECT Revival: Ray and Joy agreed to try to get the Thropton to Rothbury (or Rothbury to Thropton) cycle route completed. Land ownership - this has proved the difficulty in the past. Wildlife Trust, might the ownership be changing?
ROWANS
Liz reported that they are meeting on Saturday at the Hospital to work on the Garden at the left hand side. All the docks have been cleared from this area and they will be planting guilder rose, snowdrops, ferns.
They will also be planting 30 trees along the bank at the right hand side, near the Bench and Table.
The Willow Structures at the Riverside are being maintained. The tunnel needs to come down, Alan Winlow is providing more willow to build it again.
(Katie interjected to tell the group about the wonderful film Alan is in on Channel 5 (Do watch, it is joyous).
Coquetdale Repair Café
Tom Burwood reported that Elke has stepped down from Chair.
Rothbury CAN applaud all Elke's hard work and we thank her sincerely.
Tom has stepped up into the Chair, and we congratulate him, and know he will do a fabulous job.
Next Café is 25th April.
They are also going to apply for a stall at some of the Shows.
MA said he knows someone who runs the Longframlington Show, and he might be able to get a free stall there.
Golf Club
MA nothing further to report from last time, but asked that ROWANS phone or contact the club house before coming to remove the Himalayan Balsam.
Wildlife Trust
Paul had lots to tell us about two universities inputs into the Estate, and how some volunteering events will be coming soon.
Wildlife Trust
Paul had lots to tell us about two universities inputs into the Estate, and how some volunteering events will be coming soon.
Oxford University: Acoustic monitoring of bats
Newcastle University: Digging pits, DNA analysis of plants and seeing how old underground stones are.
Archaeology Festival 18th July to 2nd August
Lots of interesting things to see at Garleigh Moor, hoping to get people up to draw, sketch, map, write, record, photograph.
HEFTED
Please put 5th June in your calendar - This will be an event in the evening, instead of our annual film show, we are holding an event. Based on this project: Hefted
ACTION: Go to the animation and watch it; then over time please listen to the podcasts.
ACTION: Antony offered to see if Julie would do the playscripts with some children
Help needed
1. Anyone with computer skills? There is a specific job which I need help with, it will take a couple of hours to do, I think.
2. Can anyone help with finding events for Rothbury CAN? All suggestions welcomed
Meeting ended at 8.15