FRIENDS OF ORCHARD WALK
AGM 3rd May 2026
Attendees
Will Wilson – Chair
Helen Brennan – Secretary
Charles Cotton – Treasurer
Paul Concannon – Technical lead/website
Neil Davies (Clifton Road)
Review of Activities and Achievements
- Since the group was formed we have engaged with the local councillor Anne Owen, Sarah Olney MP, and the local police. Friends of Orchard Walk has been registered with the council as an official Friends group.
- The Orchard Walk fence (Clifton Road side) has been replaced and although the embankment remains a target for lazy rubbish dumping, we are keeping this under control.
- As the council ‘rangers’ no longer seem to keep the graffiti under control, Paul and Neil have been doing this on behalf of us all.
- We transformed the patch of weeds outside the gate to the cottages into a new garden which has been well received by the community.
- Police presence in Orchard Walk has increased and we have noticed a reduction in drug activity over the winter months.
Going Forward.
- The committee members all agreed to continue in role for another year.
- Anne Owen has stepped down and we will engage with her replacement.
- Efforts will be redoubled to get a bank account which is important for future projects as it will enable us to get cash from sources other than the kind contributions from the Friends group.
- A proposed future project is to get agreement from National Rail to grow a hedge behind the new fence to deter/hide rubbish dumping.
- We have purchased graffiti paint and edging for the garden. We are hoping the council will refund us but in the absence of this we will ask for voluntary contributions from the residents. Going forward we will engage with the local businesses in the hope of raising some funds.
- We are happy to continue maintaining the garden.