Moragh Stirling R.I P
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- Category: General
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It is our sad duty to advise everyone of the passing of Moragh Stirling, after a short illness. For those who did not know her, Moragh was our second catchment co-ordinator for the Loddon Catchment Partnership, between 2017 and 2020. Moragh was active in the catchment even before taking on her role with the catchment partnership. She assisted with initial excavations on the Arborfield By-pass channel, helping to manually dig under some of the willow boughs that the machinery couldn't reach, creating many of the features that typify the nature of this fish pass. Her ability to 'muck-in' was much appreciated by all present.
During her time at the South East Rivers Trust as the lead for the catchment partnership she helped to consolidate its role around the Loddonworking closely not only with the local statutory bodies and authorities but also liaising with riparian landowners at the individual level. She was instrumental in pushing forward the Charvil Backwater creation, whilst conducting much of the background planning for the Emmbrook project at Woosehill, which will hopefully come too fruition in the next year or two. She wasshowing a continued interest in this scheme very recently.
The partnership work also maintained her past links with the University of Reading, closely supporting the late Professor Joanna Clark with the Landwise Natural Flood Management initiative, and the Loddon Observatory. This latter platform helped to introduce student teams to collaborative engagement with local
issues. Some of these teams benefited from Moraghs drive, on rare occasions even encountering an alternative to the more diplomatic approach.
Moragh went on to work on the Watercress and Winterbourne project in Hampshire and finally joined the Environment Agency two years ago. Her drive, wisdom, enthusiasm and humour will be missed by all who encountered her.
Pennywort Post - Spring 2025
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- Category: Home
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The latest edition of the Pennywort Post is now available in PDF format documenting the progress of the fight against floating pennywort in the Yateley area. You can download it at the link below.
Rights Of The River - Save Our Chalkstreams
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- Category: Conservation
- Hits: 405
The LFCC supports the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HIWWT) in its efforts to gain more protection for chalk streams in the Loddon catchment. Of the three chalk streams (the Lyde - this is not mentioned by HIWWT, the Whitewater, and parts of the Loddon), none have adequate protection. This is especially problematic given the amount of development occurring in the catchment, which will lead to increasing pressures on rivers.
Of particular concern are run-off during and after construction, which can deposit silt in rivers, the increased demand for water in a catchment where nearly all sources are already fully exploited, and the increased volume of wastewater going into sewers. Already, sewage treatment plants within the catchment are discharging untreated effluent on too many days, and planned developments will make this worse, unless substantial investment is made in the sewerage system and in sewage treatment works.
Granting river rights to the chalk streams within the Loddon catchment would provide several significant benefits. Recognizing rivers as legal entities with rights to exist, thrive, and be restored ensures that they are protected from harmful activities and pollution. This approach has been successfully implemented in various parts of the world, leading to healthier ecosystems and improved biodiversity. By enshrining these rights, we create obligations for humans to act as custodians of these natural resources, ensuring their preservation for future generations.
Healthy rivers are essential for maintaining the Earth's natural water cycles, supporting diverse species, and providing vital nutrients to wetlands and oceans. They also play a crucial role in sustaining local communities, offering recreational opportunities, and enhancing the quality of life for residents. Without adequate protection, the degradation of these chalk streams will result in the loss of an important biodiversity and recreational resource.
We encourage all responsible parties to support the plans to provide the Loddon chalk streams with the protection they deserve. By doing so, we can ensure the long-term health and vitality of these precious ecosystems.
LFCC - 28th April 2025
Save Our Chalk Streams - Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
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- Category: Conservation
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HIoWT has launched a campaign to get more protection for chalk streams. We have a few of these in the Loddon catchment and currently they received little protection considering how important they are as habitats. HIoWt is encouraging people to write to their MPs about the proposed National Planning Policy Framework. You can find background information at:
https://www.hiwwt.org.uk/rivers?mc_cid=34c99e576e&mc_eid=06f045f9d4
This includes a draft letter to send to MPs but it is best to tailor this to specific rivers or fisheries to make sure that your MP realises how this could affect the local area.
The Big River Watch - The Rivers Trust
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- Category: Conservation
- Hits: 652
A free and easy way to help rivers
Twice a year we run a Big River Watch, and the next one takes place from 25th April to 1st May. These are week-long citizen science surveys in which everyone can take part in a simple activity that helps build a picture of river health across the UK and Ireland.
New for this year, if you'd like to collect even more information about your river, you can also sign up to the Great UK WaterBlitz, and test the water for phosphates and nitrates after you've completed a Big River Watch survey.
Our rivers are far from healthy. They're polluted with sewage, plastic, chemicals and nutrients, and just 15% of river stretches in England are in good overall health.
To restore them, we need more information about how they're doing. You can help us identify and locate the issues. With the Big River Watch app, you can help us identify the issues, and will contribute to a national data set that will help us build a picture of river health.
Find our more at our website: https://theriverstrust.org/take-action/the-big-river-watch?mc_cid=25d03f968c&mc_eid=06f045f9d4&mc_cid=34c99e576e&mc_eid=06f045f9d4
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