11 Nov 2024

Combe Martin Community Centre – Riverwoods – Showing Number 10

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I joined with Adrian Bryant and the National Trust at Combe Martin Community Centre to show the acclaimed film Riverwoods to close to fifty attendees. The film was followed by a short presentation by myself on the dramatic decline of salmon in the West Country. National Trust Wetlands Ranger James Thomas lifted sprits with an inspiring presentation on work being undertaken across North Devon to improve wetland habitat and reduce flooding.

 The Community Centre was previously the Primary School that I attended as a child back in the late 1960’s. Less than fifty yards from this building the River Umber flows on its journey through the village to the sea. It sad that in those fifty years, (a very short time in the grand scale of nature) the wild brown trout have dwindled dramatically and sea trout are perhaps no longer present. The eels that thrived in the river have also declined alarmingly as they have across the whole of the UK. It is tragic that our generation have overseen this trashing of the natural world.

This was the tenth showing of the Riverwoods Film to audiences across North Devon with over 300 watching the film at various venues. It is to be hoped that our efforts have helped put the health of local rivers higher on the public and political agenda. Keep up to date on North Devon Angling News for future events

2 Nov 2024

Salmon is it too late?

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Join the National Trust and myself at Combe Martin Community Centre on Wednesday November 6th to watch the acclaimed Riverwoods Film and hear about efforts to restore our rivers.

Senior Fisheries Scientist Dr Dan Osmond

“When a species heads towards extinction, you might expect public outcry. But as our Senior Fisheries Scientist Dr Dan Osmond suggests in his article about a keystone fish, this is not quite the case for the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).

But all is not lost, as Dan shares not only details of how our charity is working hard to remedy the decline, but how others are too, including short and long-term solutions.

We know how important the Atlantic salmon is and how crucial to the overall structure and functioning of an ecosystem they are – we will continue to do all we can to turn the tide on their predicament.”

Read article link  below :-

https://wrt.org.uk/the-fading-away-of-westcountry-salmon/

26 Oct 2024

March for The Torridge

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 On October 26th  I Joined representatives from several local  angling clubs at a March For The Torridge. Over sixty from various organisations gathered to demonstrate their support for efforts to work together for the long term health of North Devon’s rivers. It is very apparent that there is a great deal of passion for our rivers with many working to get the issues that are impacting upon their health higher onto the political agenda. The Taw and Torridge Estuary Forum work with the North Devon Biosphere on a catchment based approach. It is essential that all parties put aside their differences and unite in the interest of the rivers that are the vital arteries of the land.

       I was asked to say a few words and told of how I had witnessed the dramatic decline of salmon in the Torridge a river that a few decades ago saw catches in the hundreds. This years total rod catch is less than a dozen. Surely a symptom of a wider ecological issue?

 

 

http://www.ilfracombeaquarium.co.uk

25 Oct 2024

March For Clean Water

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Dear Angling Trust Members & Supporters,

We are calling on you to join us at the upcoming March for Clean Water on Sunday, November 3rd in London. This is a great opportunity for anglers to make their voices heard on the urgent need for clean, healthy rivers and waterways, and we need as many of you as possible to join us.

We’ve already shared a video featuring our ambassador, Paul Whitehouse, alongside Bob Mortimer, encouraging support, now we’re asking you to be there with us in person. This march is about showing the strength of the angling community and the passion we have for protecting our waters.

Event details:

  • Date: Sunday, November 3rd.
  • Time: Assemble from 11:00 AM, march starts at 11:45 AM.
  • Location: Albert Embankment, London, SE1. Zones C-D, look for signs on the lamp posts & the Anglers Against Pollution banners.
  • Rally: The event will conclude with a rally at Parliament Square from 1.30 PM finishing around 3:00 PM.
  • Speakers: Penny Gane from Fish Legal and Angling Trust ambassador Feargal Sharkey

We’re asking everyone to wear blue as a show of solidarity, if you want to carry an old rod, or make up your own Anglers Against Pollution placard to show that the angling community stands united in the fight for cleaner, healthier waters. Your presence at the march will send a powerful message.

If you can’t attend, you can still support by sharing our social media posts to help spread the word.

This is our chance to make a difference, and we need you with us. We hope to see you there!

For updates see here.

16 Oct 2024

Opportunity for Community Grant Funding for Restoring Freshwater Habitats

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“The National Trust team in North Devon is inviting applications from community groups as part of the Freshwater Community Grant Fund – grants of £500 to £5,000 are available for initiatives that create, look after or improve local freshwater habitats and provide opportunities for people to connect with nature.

The application window for funding is now open. Community groups are invited to suggest projects that will boost biodiversity and create opportunities to connect with nature at freshwater sites. We also want to build skills within communities, so they can look after these special habitats and species long term.

Join the North Devon team at one of two drop in online webinars on Monday 21st October at 9:00am or Wednesday 23rd October at 2:30pm to find out more about the sorts of projects we can support through this funding and ask any questions you may have. Please email Sophie (Volunteering & Community Manager, North Devon) to book onto one of these sessions [email protected]

Please download the application form and follow the instructions to complete and submit your application. Full information about how to apply and what you can get funding for can be found here – Freshwater Community Grant Fund UK | National Trust

If you require an alternative format for the application and guidance documents, please email us at [email protected] and we’ll aim to provide this for you.

The Freshwater Community Grant Fund supports community initiatives to restore freshwater habitats at five locations in England, including for projects within a 20 mile radius around Arlington Court, North Devon. In partnership with Defra’s Species Survival Fund, the scheme aims to award a total of £75,000 to local initiatives by 31st December 2025.”