I
Ian Cloke
Guest
Newbury residents are being encouraged to come and learn about the wealth of wildlife along the River Lambourn at an event being held in Newbury next weekend.
The River Lambourn Fun Day has been organised by the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group and the Environment Agency to raise awareness about the River Lambourn Urban Restoration Project.
The aim of the project is to improve the nature conservation value of the river through Newbury and encourage and improve access to the river. The event takes place between 11.30am and 3pm on Saturday, 28 April at the Almond Avenue Recreation Ground, in Shaw, Newbury.
There will be stalls, crafts and activities for children, including a chance to meet crayfish and pond insects, up close and personal! Experts will be on hand to discuss the work required to help encourage back some of the species that have disappeared through years of neglect.
An environmental artist will help children to make models of river creatures and a storyteller will help to bring the river to life. Fly-fishing demonstrations will show another side of the River Lambourn?s attraction. The project is for the people of Newbury and there will be an opportunity to comment on it and make suggestions for the future.
Zo? Falk is a project officer at the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, which is funded by the Heritage lottery Fund and Natural England. She said: ?This event will be a fantastic day for people who live along the River Lambourn to get involved in its future.
?We want to encourage as many people as possible to come along on the day and to get involved in their river. Historically alterations have affected the wildlife and habitat along the river where the Lambourn flows into Newbury, but the aim of the restoration project is to put that right.
?Through this project we want to restore the Lambourn to its former glory, and for the people who live along this wonderful river to have a role and sense of pride in their very own slice of urban chalk river.?
Tom Sherwood, a fisheries officer at the Environment Agency, said: ?The Lambourn is one of the best chalk rivers in the country, which supports a variety of special wildlife along its whole stretch.
?Sadly the river does suffer significantly when it flows through Newbury, but this project is making great strides to improve the habitat and vitality of the river which we hope will mean more people use it for recreation, such as fishing.?
The River Lambourn is a classic example of a chalk river and flows for 24km from the village of Lambourn to Newbury, where it joins the River Kennet. The river has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) to provide protection under national and international legislation for the characteristic habitats and wildlife it supports.
The River Lambourn Fun Day has been organised by the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group and the Environment Agency to raise awareness about the River Lambourn Urban Restoration Project.
The aim of the project is to improve the nature conservation value of the river through Newbury and encourage and improve access to the river. The event takes place between 11.30am and 3pm on Saturday, 28 April at the Almond Avenue Recreation Ground, in Shaw, Newbury.
There will be stalls, crafts and activities for children, including a chance to meet crayfish and pond insects, up close and personal! Experts will be on hand to discuss the work required to help encourage back some of the species that have disappeared through years of neglect.
An environmental artist will help children to make models of river creatures and a storyteller will help to bring the river to life. Fly-fishing demonstrations will show another side of the River Lambourn?s attraction. The project is for the people of Newbury and there will be an opportunity to comment on it and make suggestions for the future.
Zo? Falk is a project officer at the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, which is funded by the Heritage lottery Fund and Natural England. She said: ?This event will be a fantastic day for people who live along the River Lambourn to get involved in its future.
?We want to encourage as many people as possible to come along on the day and to get involved in their river. Historically alterations have affected the wildlife and habitat along the river where the Lambourn flows into Newbury, but the aim of the restoration project is to put that right.
?Through this project we want to restore the Lambourn to its former glory, and for the people who live along this wonderful river to have a role and sense of pride in their very own slice of urban chalk river.?
Tom Sherwood, a fisheries officer at the Environment Agency, said: ?The Lambourn is one of the best chalk rivers in the country, which supports a variety of special wildlife along its whole stretch.
?Sadly the river does suffer significantly when it flows through Newbury, but this project is making great strides to improve the habitat and vitality of the river which we hope will mean more people use it for recreation, such as fishing.?
The River Lambourn is a classic example of a chalk river and flows for 24km from the village of Lambourn to Newbury, where it joins the River Kennet. The river has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) to provide protection under national and international legislation for the characteristic habitats and wildlife it supports.