Category: Community (Warminster)

Sustainable Warminster
Minutes of Annual General Meeting
7pm, 10 September 2025 at Warminster Civic Centre.

Present: Amy Darbyshire (chair), Rebecca Krzyzosiak (note-taker), Helen Martin (treasurer), Jennie Gilling (Committee member), Clare Hancock, Dennis Brett, Marion Barton, Maggie Richens, Max Richens, Chris Walford (membership), Barb Dodd.

1. Welcome
   The meeting unanimously agreed on the minutes of the previous meeting.
   
2. Chairs’ Report: a review of the year
   Column and comms

• We now have a bi-weekly column in the revived Warminster Journal.
• We’ve introduced improved communications for our members through regular email updates.
  
  Campaigns
  Toad Patrol
• The meeting discussed the ongoing efforts to protect toads crossing roads, including creating leaflets and conducting door-to-door campaigns. The key to helping the community better understand the campaign is through education.
• Where toads were able to mate successfully in the Spring, the babies are now
  migrating back over the road due to the wet/warm weather. More people have joined the Toad Patrol group, as there has been a lot of profiling of toad activity on social media.
• There continue to be challenges with dangerous drivers.
• Amy has arranged an interview with BBC Radio Wiltshire about the baby toads
  crossing roads.
  Actions:
• Amy and Rebecca ask the town council if there is a possibility of installing yellow slower lines, speed watch or rumble strips across the carriageway to deter reckless driving and reduce the speed of vehicles using this route.
• Amy to explore whether we can purchase body cameras for Toad Patrollers.
• Amy to provide Clare some leaflets to dispense at the nature reserve car park.

Plan Bee
Pollination Street has been a huge success.
A sub-group is working on a project to expand wildflower planting to identify new areas. There are ongoing challenges in maintaining wildflower meadows, as well as the role of volunteers in this effort.

• Where dogs foul in wildflower meadows, this means the wildflower cuttings are
  compromised, as livestock that consume the cuttings (which farmers want in return for their services) can abort their calves, so farmers are not interested in providing cutting services. Local businesses are charging a substantial amount per cut, making it difficult to maintain these areas.
  
  Actions:
• Amy and Rebecca explore any abandoned flowerbeds in the town to see if any
  can be utilised to grow wildflowers; there are some shaded species which might
  be suitable for such locations.
• Amy and the wildflower sub-group will update the meeting when there is news
  about a meeting with a local housing association where land may be suitable for
  wildflower planting.
  
  Smallbrook Nature Reserve Mural
  Clare provided the update:
• The mural is all finished. It’s been covered with anti-graffiti paint.
• Tanya is working on a board with a key of all the animals which live in the nature reserve, saying what they are.
• A big thanks to all the people who have donated.
• The mural has become a tourist destination for walking groups to visit.
  Actions:
• Clare to write a column for the paper about the finished mural and the animals
  living in the nature reserve.
  
  Rivers and waterways
• Sustainable Warminster is establishing a Rivers and waterways subgroup to monitor and campaign for the health of our local rivers and water systems in and around the town.
• Four people have joined the group now. There are plans for the weekend of 19th-21st September to test local rivers and waterways to coincide with a national water health campaign. Much work is being done quietly behind the scenes for this work.

Actions:
Amy, update the next meeting on the work we are doing with the Wessex Rivers
Trust and water testing.
Amy and Iain consider writing a column update for the local paper about the
health of local rivers.

Collaborations
We continue to work with Warminster Town Council, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, the MOD, the Community Orchard, and others, e.g., the Wessex Rivers Trust.

We greatly appreciate the support and funding we have received from various sources.

The meeting discussed the World Clean Up day being led by town councillor Jack Jones on 20th September, starting at 10am.

Events
October 2024 – March 2025: Energy Advice Tea Parties and Warm and Well Energy Advice events, at the Warminster Civic Centre.
April 2025: Warminster’s Great British Spring Clean, town-wide community litter-pick; a collaboration with Warminster Town Council.
An illustrated wildflower talk by Paul Jupp of Meadow in my Garden, at the Warminster Civic Centre.
June 2025: Sustainable Style clothes swap & shop, at The Wellbeing Hub, Warminster.
July 2025: Pollination street celebration.
August 2025: A thank you Cream Tea in the Community Orchard for our Energy Advice Event volunteers.
Imber ‘Buzz Day’ with Plan Bee.

Thank yous
A big thanks to Clare Hancok, who organises the Green Drinks throughout the year.
Amy and Rebecca extended their thanks and gratitude to the Committee. Jennie and Helen have been very supportive and wonderful mentors – so thank you again.

1. Membership Report
   Chris reported a rise in new members: 12 new members since the last AGM.
   
2. Treasurer’s Report
   Maggie Richens agreed to audit the accounts.

The report shows a decrease in the general fund from the last AGM, with donations helping to offset expenses.

Balances as of 31st August 2025:
Current Account £384.54
Savings Account £6924.73
Petty Cash £79.60
Total £7388.87*
*Retrofit £4108.38
*Plan Bee £1546.96
The General Fund is £1733.53, with an overall total of £7388.87
Actions:

• Chris to follow up with Harriet on the reporting requirements for the retrofit
  grant/funding.
  
• The Committee to consider how best to use the remaining funds for the retrofit
  grant/funding.

1. Continuing Roles and Election of Officers
   Everyone in the committee is happy to continue in their roles as they currently are.
   Amy and Rebecca have dual roles. Amy, the press officer and Co-Chair, and Rebecca, the Secretary and Co-Chair. Rebecca also supports Amy with the comms and the Warminster Journal Column.
   We are looking for someone to take over the secretary role. A request to the entire membership has been sent out, but so far, no one has come forward.
   Action:
   Rebecca to advertise the role on dedicated volunteer platforms, e.g., Wiltshire Together and others across Wiltshire.
   
2. AOB

• A sub-group is working on a project to expand wildflower meadows.
• Maggie and Max updated the meeting about the idea of setting up a community
  energy project, similar to NADA in Tisbury, to distribute locally generated renewable
  energy.
  Actions:
• Chris to reach out to the NADA Community Energy group to see if they would be
  interested in giving a talk.
• Jennie to schedule a talk by Steve Tonkin on dark skies, potentially in November.

Wednesday 10th September 2025

Sustainable Warminster
Minutes of Annual General Meeting
7pm, 10 September 2025 at Warminster Civic Centre.

Present: Amy Darbyshire (chair), Rebecca Krzyzosiak (note-taker), Helen Martin (treasurer), Jennie Gilling (Committee member), Clare Hancock, Dennis Brett, Marion Barton, Maggie Richens, Max Richens, Chris Walford (membership), Barb Dodd.

1. Welcome
   The meeting unanimously agreed on the minutes of the previous meeting.
   
2. Chairs’ Report: a review of the year
   Column and comms

• We now have a bi-weekly column in the revived Warminster Journal.
• We’ve introduced improved communications for our members through regular email updates.
  Campaigns
  Toad Patrol
• The meeting discussed the ongoing efforts to protect toads crossing roads, including creating leaflets and conducting door-to-door campaigns. The key to helping the community better understand the campaign is through education.
• Where toads were able to mate successfully in the Spring, the babies are now
  migrating back over the road due to the wet/warm weather. More people have joined the Toad Patrol group, as there has been a lot of profiling of toad activity on social media.
• There continue to be challenges with dangerous drivers.
• Amy has arranged an interview with BBC Radio Wiltshire about the baby toads
  crossing roads.
  Actions:
• Amy and Rebecca ask the town council if there is a possibility of installing yellow slower lines, speed watch or rumble strips across the carriageway to deter reckless driving and reduce the speed of vehicles using this route.
• Amy to explore whether we can purchase body cameras for Toad Patrollers.
• Amy to provide Clare some leaflets to dispense at the nature reserve car park.

Plan Bee

• Pollination Street has been a huge success.
• A sub-group is working on a project to expand wildflower planting to identify new areas. There are ongoing challenges in maintaining wildflower meadows, as well as the role of volunteers in this effort.
• Where dogs foul in wildflower meadows, this means the wildflower cuttings are
  compromised, as livestock that consume the cuttings (which farmers want in return for their services) can abort their calves, so farmers are not interested in providing cutting services. Local businesses are charging a substantial amount per cut, making it difficult to maintain these areas.
  Actions:
• Amy and Rebecca explore any abandoned flowerbeds in the town to see if any
  can be utilised to grow wildflowers; there are some shaded species which might
  be suitable for such locations.
• Amy and the wildflower sub-group will update the meeting when there is news
  about a meeting with a local housing association where land may be suitable for
  wildflower planting.
  Smallbrook Nature Reserve Mural
  Clare provided the update:
• The mural is all finished. It’s been covered with anti-graffiti paint.
• Tanya is working on a board with a key of all the animals which live in the nature reserve, saying what they are.
• A big thanks to all the people who have donated.
• The mural has become a tourist destination for walking groups to visit.
  Actions:
• Clare to write a column for the paper about the finished mural and the animals
  living in the nature reserve.
  Rivers and waterways
• Sustainable Warminster is establishing a Rivers and waterways subgroup to monitor and campaign for the health of our local rivers and water systems in and around the town.
• Four people have joined the group now. There are plans for the weekend of 19th-21st September to test local rivers and waterways to coincide with a national water health campaign. Much work is being done quietly behind the scenes for this work.

Actions:

• Amy, update the next meeting on the work we are doing with the Wessex Rivers
  Trust and water testing.
• Amy and Iain consider writing a column update for the local paper about the
  health of local rivers.
  Collaborations
  We continue to work with Warminster Town Council, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, the MOD, the Community Orchard, and others, e.g., the Wessex Rivers Trust.
  We greatly appreciate the support and funding we have received from various sources.
  The meeting discussed the World Clean Up day being led by town councillor Jack Jones on 20th September, starting at 10am.
  Events
  October 2024 – March 2025: Energy Advice Tea Parties and Warm and Well Energy Advice events, at the Warminster Civic Centre.
  April 2025: Warminster’s Great British Spring Clean, town-wide community litter-pick; a collaboration with Warminster Town Council.
  An illustrated wildflower talk by Paul Jupp of Meadow in my Garden, at the Warminster Civic Centre.
  June 2025: Sustainable Style clothes swap & shop, at The Wellbeing Hub, Warminster.
  July 2025: Pollination street celebration.
  August 2025: A thank you Cream Tea in the Community Orchard for our Energy Advice Event volunteers.
  Imber ‘Buzz Day’ with Plan Bee.
  Thank yous
  A big thanks to Clare Hancok, who organises the Green Drinks throughout the year.
  Amy and Rebecca extended their thanks and gratitude to the Committee. Jennie and Helen have been very supportive and wonderful mentors – so thank you again.

1. Membership Report
   Chris reported a rise in new members: 12 new members since the last AGM.
2. Treasurer’s Report
   Maggie Richens agreed to audit the accounts.

The report shows a decrease in the general fund from the last AGM, with donations helping to offset expenses.
Balances as of 31st August 2025:
Current Account £384.54
Savings Account £6924.73
Petty Cash £79.60
Total £7388.87*
*Retrofit £4108.38
*Plan Bee £1546.96
The General Fund is £1733.53, with an overall total of £7388.87
Actions:

• Chris to follow up with Harriet on the reporting requirements for the retrofit
  grant/funding.
• The Committee to consider how best to use the remaining funds for the retrofit
  grant/funding.

1. Continuing Roles and Election of Officers
   Everyone in the committee is happy to continue in their roles as they currently are.
   Amy and Rebecca have dual roles. Amy, the press officer and Co-Chair, and Rebecca, the Secretary and Co-Chair. Rebecca also supports Amy with the comms and the Warminster Journal Column.
   We are looking for someone to take over the secretary role. A request to the entire membership has been sent out, but so far, no one has come forward.
   Action:
   Rebecca to advertise the role on dedicated volunteer platforms, e.g., Wiltshire Together and others across Wiltshire.
2. AOB

• A sub-group is working on a project to expand wildflower meadows.
• Maggie and Max updated the meeting about the idea of setting up a community
  energy project, similar to NADA in Tisbury, to distribute locally generated renewable energy.
  Actions:
• Chris to reach out to the NADA Community Energy group to see if they would be
  interested in giving a talk.
• Jennie to schedule a talk by Steve Tonkin on dark skies, potentially in November.

Friday 22 August 2025

From Sustainable Warminster:

Please see below the Dates for your Diary for September and October 2025, and other news you may find of interest:

Friday, 5 September, 7:30pm, Green Drinks at The Wellbeing Hub, 36 High Street, Warminster, BA12 0AF

An informal gathering. All are welcome to come along and chat about what we do or just catch up with others. New faces are always welcome! Wednesday, 10 September, Annual General Meeting, 7:00-9:00pm, at Warminster Civic Centre, Sambourne Road, Warminster, BA12 8LB

Please join us in celebrating a busy year for Sustainable Warminster as well as discussing other topics. 

Monday, 6 October, 7:30pm, Green Drinks at The Fox & Hounds, 6 Deverill Road, Warminster BA12 9QP

An informal gathering. All are welcome to come along and chat about what we do or just catch up with others. New faces are always welcome! 

The Smallbrook Nature Reserve mural is now completed
With thanks to everyone who donated to the Smallbrook Nature Reserve mural campaign, it is now completed. Find out more here: 
Residents delight as Smallbrook mural completed – Warminster Journal

Donate your unwanted tech

Unwanted technology, such as old desktops, laptops, and tablets, can now be donated at a new drop-off point in Warminster Civic Centre to be repurposed. Find out more about this scheme here:

Donate unwanted old phones and laptops in Warminster – Warminster Journal, or for more information, contact info@wiltshiredigitaldrive.org or visit www.wiltshiredigitaldrive.org/ 

Love Your Local Nature Reserve
The Wiltshire Wildlife Trust has launched a fundraising campaign to protect and improve the Smallbrook Meadow Nature Reserve, Warminster.

The campaign highlights the critical role that local nature reserves have in protecting wildlife and helping communities connect with nature. Find out more about this campaign and how to donate here: Warminster urged to support Smallbrook Meadows – Warminster Journal

Have your say on Wiltshire Council’s vision for the county 

Wiltshire people are being asked to help shape Wiltshire Council’s community-centred draft plan by having their say on the vision for the county over the next decade. Whether you’re a resident, business representative, community group or anyone with an interest in the future of the county and Wiltshire Council services, you can complete a survey and provide your views on the draft Council Plan 2025-35. The survey can be completed here(opens new window). Hard copies are also available at Wiltshire Council’s main offices in Chippenham, Trowbridge and Salisbury, as well as at its libraries. People have until 2 September to complete the survey.

Find out more here: Have your say on Wiltshire Council’s vision for the county – Wiltshire Council

Top tips for supporting your local hedgehogs

Hedgehog populations in Britain have plummeted from 36.5 million in the 1950s to under a million today. This drastic decline is due to habitat loss, pesticide and weed killer poisoning, injuries from garden machinery and road traffic, and overly tidy gardens that lack shelter and food sources. Hedgehogs are vital to the ecosystem, as they eat pests such as slugs, snails, and beetle larvae, and serve as prey for larger animals.

Sustainable Warminster is working to make gardens more hedgehog-friendly.

You can help by cutting a 13cm square hole in your fence to allow hedgehog access (check in with your neighbours first).

• Avoid using slug pellets and pesticides, which harm hedgehogs directly or through contaminated prey.
• Provide a safe, quiet space to nest, such as a log pile or hedgehog house and fresh water in a shallow dish.
• Rewild a corner of your garden by letting grass grow and leaving leaf litter to attract insects.
• If you spot a hedgehog in daylight and it doesn’t run away from you, it may be unwell – contain it gently and contact a local wildlife rescue organisation.
• Feeding hedgehogs is fine with appropriate food like hedgehog biscuits or meaty cat food, but never give them bread or milk.

With small changes, your garden can become a safe haven for these essential creatures.

Are you passionate about our town’s rivers and local wildlife? Sustainable Warminster is forming a new committee dedicated to protecting our local waterways. 

We’ll be focusing on:

• Raising awareness of challenges affecting our rivers/waterways
• Organising hands-on activities such as water testing and collaborating with other working groups
• Exploring sustainable solutions to help our habitats

If you’re passionate about environmental stewardship, enjoy community collaboration, or simply want to learn more about our rivers, we’d love to have you involved. This is a chance to turn concern into action and help safeguard these precious resources for future generations.

Please contact Amy at press@sustainablewarminster.co.uk if you’d like to join this new working group.

Best wishes,
Rebecca and Amy
Co-Chairs, Sustainable Warminster