October 2025 Newsletter
Welcome to the Friends of Brislington Brook October newsletter!
In this month’s edition…
- AGM – Nov 5th 2025 – Save the date!
- Community Allotments by Geoff
- Update on the Woodland Trust Tree Grant by Jackie
- St Anne’s Wood Brookside Trail by Jackie
- Reflections on a Year of Being Chair by Jo
- Musings by Jackie
- FoBB Office Roles descriptions
If there’s something you’d like to include in our newsletter, let us know by emailing info.fobb@gmail.com.
Thanks to https://www.instagram.com/ethan_nature_guy/ for allowing us to use his absolutely wonderful fungi pics in this Newsletter. Please follow him in Instagram to see these and more in their full HD glory!
Thanks to Jackie for her photos as well! Hers are the first and last fungi pictures.
Plenty of activities in nature!
Hello everyone!
The days are getting shorter and the leaves are turning yellow gold or fallowing to use an Old English word.
We are a few days away from the next AGM and we need candidates for Chair, we have included a description of the roles further down in the newsletter. If you are interested, do reach out to us by Whatsapp or write to us at info.fobb@gmail.com to arrange a chat.
Have a think and do your bit for Brislington Brook!
Contact form
We have received feedback that sometimes we don’t respond to queries sent to us by our contact form in our website. We have found out that many of these messages ended up in our Spam folder, we sincerely apologise for this oversight. We will be keeping an eye on the Spam folder to make sure we don’t miss anything.
Donate Button in our website
Friends of Brislington Brook is a group made from volunteers and we are running things on a very limited budget. We have added a Donate button in our website, thanks to Ellen who has added a new page with the button, please have a look and click if you are feeling generous!
Or use the QR code below!
We can also accept donations from Paypal (info.fobb@gmail.com) or by bank transfer. Please send us an email if you want our bank details.
All the best,
Cristina – holding Secretary
Community Allotments
This month we have a new and exciting opportunity to take on the tenancy of two adjoining large allotments at the Rock Allotments off Allison Road. They are in a beautiful and peaceful location, overlooking Nightingale Valley. I have taken on the role of coordinator for the allotments. We can start to clear the site once we have received and signed the contract from BCC.
There are two large plots, 60a and 60b on the photo above, about 480m² in total. They are both very overgrown and it will be a huge task just to clear them. Several FoBB regulars have expressed interest, and are keen to get going with it. As ever, more volunteers are always needed and welcome. More news in due course.
Geoff Thomas, Treasurer and Allotment Coordinator
Woodland Trust Tree Grant
The delivery of the Woodland Trust trees has been put back until March 2026 to give us time to prepare the planting sites in St Anne’s wood and Nightingale Valley.
Both woods have been colonised by sycamore which outcompetes native trees due to its rapid growth and ability to spread easily. Although naturalised in the UK, sycamore is native to central, eastern and southern Europe. Some argue that it was introduced by the Romans; others that it was introduced in the 1500s. What we do know is that sycamore self-seeds readily: one mature tree can be the parent of many hundreds of sycamore seedlings each year. What is more mature sycamore trees, of which there are many, create a huge canopy, casting a deep shade with their dense branches.
For this reason, FoBB volunteers removed around thirty sycamore saplings from St Anne’s Wood during our October work party. It was hard work, but a worthwhile thing to do! We have created three distinct spaces within St Anne’s Wood where we can now plant native trees.
We intend to survey Nightingale Valley over the coming week with a view to removing sycamore saplings there during November’s work party.
Our plan is to create discreet and and varied habitats within the woods. A riperian habitat along the brook where alders and willows bind the bank, tree habitats where similar species are grouped together and meadow habitats where wildflowers can thrive.
Jackie Friel, Vice-chair
St Anne’s Wood Brookside Trail
In late 2024, Bristol Avon Catchment Partnership awarded us a funding for an interpretation board to be installed by the Holy Well in St Anne’s Wood. Over the past six months, FoBB volunteers have been been busy producing content and graphics for the board. FoBB members Ethan, Nadia, Russell and myself wrote about the various habitats in St Anne’s Wood and the species that live within them; Giorgia designed the detailed map; Ethan provided the wildlife photographs; Jo and Ethan produced the sketches of architectural features; and James proofread the text and somehow made it appear as if it had been written by one author! Leah, who was not able to attend the meeting where roles were allocated, contributed to the final design.
We commissioned an artist from Cornwall to create the habitat illustrations. The Graphic Designer was also based in Cornwall. The distance rendered communication difficult as it was not possible to view life-sized proofs. However, the project had to be kept within budget: Cornish Illustrators and Graphic Designers charge a third of the price of those based in Bristol.
In the event, we were presented with two proofs, one with a white background and one where the text was in light green boxes. As a democratic group, we put it to the vote in a WhatsApp Doodle Poll. FoBB volunteers voted overwhelmingly for the proof with the white background. We have been given a provisional date for the installation of the Interpretation board: Thursday, 4th December.
As overseer of the project, I must say it has been a pleasure from beginning to end. We are fortunate to have volunteers in our Friends group who possess a range of wildlife expertise. lt has been a truly collaborative project in every sense of the term. We hope it will add meaning to your walks in St Anne’s Wood and enhance your experience of being there.
Jackie Friel, Vice-chair
The next meeting is the annual AGM, it will be from 7-8:30pm for the main meeting, on Wednesday 5th November (yes, Bonfire night!) at St Anne’s House in the upstairs gallery on the 2nd floor. There is a lift and an accessible toilet. There will be someone on the door to direct you (until 7:30). If you have any issues finding us, please call 07799882844.
Our next work party (litter picking and sycamore popping) will be 10am on Saturday 5th November at St Anne’s Park Car Park.
We’ll be at St Anne’s Woods on November 5th, so join us at 10am at Newbridge Road.
Reflections on a Year of Being Chair
So it’s almost a year since I was voted in as chair (after a year of vice chair) and I thought I’d give a reflection on the year before I step down.
I entered this year wanting to share my engagement skills to draw in new people, to build the team up and to hopefully leave it for the next chair as a much more supported and less demanding role! Working alongside the other officers who have given so much this year, Geoff, Jackie, Steve and Cristina, we saw the group grow and a stronger team come together.
Along the way I’ve become more aware of the factors at play when a group of locals decide to invest and deeply care for a piece of land. I want to share with you some reflections and things I’ve learnt.
- During the months coming up to the land-auction as new officers we ‘hit the ground running’. It opened my eyes to see just how much people deeply value our local woodland valley! We had so much support and interest. Thank you from us all.
- I also learnt that some developers want to give to the community too!
- That St Anne’s Woods provides rich habitats for hundreds of species (over 250 identified at our 24hr Bioblitz) but there are also many human members of our community (of all ages) who spend hours and hours observing different species throughout the seasons – with much excitement and dedication. We have a wealth of knowledge between us in our group.
- That there are those with many decades of relationship with our valley and there are others with expertise in habitat management – both have valuable insights. Building a culture of listening to each other’s knowledge and ideas, weighing up the evidence and looking beyond the group for examples of working in similar habitats is key to working together.
- That Friends of Brislington Brook (FoBB) is not just supportive of the natural environment but that people join our group to meet others who share a common goal. Whilst we’re working hard to look after our woodland the connection between us and the woodland has sustained many in the group through difficult times.
- That FoBB is passionate about sharing the woodland beyond the group and find many creative and fascinating ways to create opportunities to invite others in. Wang a Welly comes to mind! We’ve dedicated many hours to engaging the community and have had a great time doing it.
- That there are very real barriers to some people joining a conservation group like ours – it takes gentle persistence and bold moves to make sure those holding power and policy are questioned and real changes are made.
- Don’t underestimate the difference it makes if a conservation group is well resourced! That it takes a large amount of energy and determination to find funding to make the magic happen! But creativity and enthusiasm comes out of the woodwork when it’s most needed!
- That when people deeply care for a natural space it rubs off on us and we start to care for each other; trusting each other enough to tell our ‘two truths and a lie’ and sing our hearts out around the campfire during a summer social.
- That links and partnerships outside of the group – with other ‘Friends of’ groups, organisations, individual experts, networks, the parks team/council and corporate bodies – is much like a woodland of different tree species feeding each other through their root systems; good communication both ways make us all healthier and happier.
- That when people deeply care for a natural space it rubs off on us and we start to care for each other; trusting each other enough to tell our ‘two truths and a lie’ and sing our hearts out around the campfire during a summer social.
It’s been full on this year but I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved together! Well done and thank you to the officers for all your hard work and giving!
I particularly want to shout out for vice chair/funding coordinator, Jackie, who has given her all this year creating events, bringing in funding and making things happen. Where does she get the energy?!
Also to Geoff, her partner in crime, who has done a great job managing the accounts, switching to a no-fee bank account, setting up a Paypal account, and organising the printing of business cards to spread the word.
Thanks to social media wizard, Leah; to our wonderful wildlife sub-group whose enthusiasm never dries up; the tech team, Charlotte, Kelsey and Ellen who have our back; to Kelsey, the training coordinator, who is helping us to get our act together; Andy, the corporate work party coordinator who brings in ‘the task force’ when we need it; the Lead Volunteers who get us out doing the actual work – we’re so grateful to you; the welcomers, Emma and the other Ellen! Also to Emma for organising our summer social. And our enthusiastic young ecologist and photographer, Ethan: to Russell for the incredible Bioblitz, to the regulars who come along to work party sessions through all weathers; to Dan for having so many good ideas and getting on with them; and to James for his constant enthusiasm and reminding us at every opportunity that he wants a ‘natural pool’ built!
Thanks to Claire, Steve and Baz – the original FoBBers! I have valued your input and your long-term perspective and so glad Baz is back with his expert knowledge and friendship after the sad loss of lovely Suzie. Also, of course, to Cristina for coming to our rescue and producing these wonderful newsletters (and to Steve before who we miss after moving away). What an incredible team! I know I will have forgotten to mention someone important momentarily! Everyone is valued and needed as we continue to maintain and see our woodland valleys thrive! Here’s to another year ahead!
Stepping down is so hard but the year I promised of my time is over and I need to give more time again to freelance community projects and family… but I’ll still be part of the FoBB lot!
However, currently no one has stepped forward for the chair position! It really is a very rewarding role and will be simplified now that a team is in place We’re sharing the description of the role again in this newsletter. If you would like to discuss this then feel free to contact me at info.fobb@gmail.com.
Geoff will be running again for treasurer, Giorgia is running for Secretary and Jackie is running for Vice Chair.
The AGM is on Wednesday 5th November (yes Bonfire Night) from 7- 8.30pm at St Anne’s House in the upstairs gallery on the 2nd floor. There is a lift and an accessible toilet. There will be someone on the door to direct you (until 7.30). If you have issues finding us then call 07799882844.
Jo Bushell
Outgoing Chair
Musings
Jo has been an excellent Chair, bringing the group together and creating new roles so that the work is more evenly distributed. One of her many attributes is her exceptional communication skills. She has an innate ability to tune in to volunteers’ passions and motivations and to recognise their unique qualities. Team building seems to come naturally to her. She has placed trust in volunteers, encouraging them to build on their strengths by taking on newly created positions within the group. She has been a extremely supportive leader, driven by both her love of the St Anne’s Valleys and her natural affinity with fellow human beings.
We have been lucky to have Jo as Chair for the past year. We are sad to see her step down, but are happy that she will continue to be a member of our Friends group, a valued one at that.
Jackie Friel
Vice Chair
FoBB – Officer Roles description
Chair
Role
The chair is the spokesperson for the organisation, representing and advocating for the aims and ambitions of FOBB, particularly within the organisations we work closely with. Their overall objective is to further the aims of FOBB following the aims of the mission statement.
Responsibilities
- Chair monthly meetings, allowing participants time to share their ideas.
- Ensure meetings have a chair and secretary to take minutes.
- Where votes are taken a meetings, the chair makes the final decision.
- Together with the secretary set an agenda, sign off minutes of previous meeting, ensure actions are completed or re submitted for future action.
- Ensure sub groups report back to the main committee.
- Ensure that health and safety is a priority, particularly at work parties, and that enough members are qualified to safely carry out tasks.
- Ensure the group is covered by appropriate insurance.
- Oversee, together with the treasurer and applicant, any grant applications made on behalf of FOBB.
- Call the annual general meeting (AGM) in early November each year, giving one month’s notice.
- Call for nominations for all the officers – Chair, Treasurer and Secretary – ahead of the AGM.
- Produce, with the help of others, the annual report to be presented at the AGM on FOBBs achievements, events and contributions made to the local neighbourhood.
- Keep and store copies of important documents.
Treasurer
Role
The treasurer oversees the general finance of FOBB.
They ensure FOBB spends its money correctly, pays its bills, keeps accurate accounts and does not get into financial difficulties. All expenditure has to be agreed by the chair and secretary and passed through the treasurer before monies are paid out. Monies are only paid out after receipts have been received by the treasurer.
Responsibilities
- Record and track income, keeping remittance advices.
- Accurately record expenditure and keep receipts.
- Keep separate budgets for grant income (restricted expenditure), keeping an account of expenditure from the grant for report purposes, ensuring the grant is spent within the given time frame, and financial information is sent with any requested report.
- Provide the chair and secretary with regular financial reports on balances and budgets.
- Set an annual budget of income and expenditure. Where surplus income is not expected, call on the chair and secretary to make a planned expenditure for the year, taking into account pre-existing bills – for instance, insurance and web payments.
- Reconcile accounts with bank statements to ensure accounts balance.
- Keep accounts safe online, using a computer in the sole use of the treasurer.
- Submit copies of the accounts to the chair and attendees of the AGM.
- Write a Statement of Financial Affairs to accompany accounts.
- Write a Treasurer’s Statement to briefly explain the financial position.
- Keep up to date with new financial practices.
Secretary
Role
Our secretary takes minutes at our meetings and communicates with our volunteers and supporters.
Responsibilities
- Take minutes at our monthly meeting or find a replacement.
- Send minutes to our mailing list within 2 weeks of the monthly meeting (or before) to allow actions to be completed.
- Respond to emails in the FOBB inbox.
- Manage our Whatsapp groups and the Mailchimp mailing list.
- Make sure events and work parties are listed on our website.
- Keep up-to-date contacts for organisations useful to FoBB, like owl and bat groups and invasive species experts.
- Keep and store copies of important documents.
Joint responsibilities with the chair
- Agree the agenda ahead of monthly meetings.
- Organise the annual general meeting (AGM) and advertise the date to volunteers, at least one month before the event.
- Advertise the positions of chair, treasurer and secretary ahead of the annual general meeting. Call for nominations and facilitate a ballot at the AGM if there is more than one nomination for a position.
- Sign off and keep record of the accounts provided by the treasurer at the AGM (do not share publicly).
Important dates for your calendar:
Wednesday 5th November AGM – Location St Anne’s House (Bricks)
Saturday 8th November – St Anne’s Wood: tree popping.
Remember to follow us in our Social Media for up to date news!
I hope you see you again soon!
– Cristina, holding Secretary
