Local News Bishop, MP, to join public in chalk river pilgrimage to protect River Ivel The public is invited to join a chalk river pilgrimage starting at Ivel Springs Local Nature Reserve in Baldock, along the River Ivel, and ending at All Saints Church in Radwell, on Sunday 11 September. The walk is being organised by All Saints Church, Radwell and the RevIvel Association, which was formed in 2019 to protect the Ivel’s future. The river runs through Baldock, Radwell, Stotfold, Arlesey and Henlow and is one of just 250 chalk streams in the world. “We all have a responsibility to be good stewards to care for and help protect our local environment,” said Revd Bill Britt, the Vicar of Radwell, Stotfold and Fairfield.
The extremely dry river bed in the River Ivel.
If they wish, those taking part in the walk can join in prayers at various points on the route, led by the Bishop of Bedford, the Rt Revd Richard Atkinson. After the walk, everyone is invited to a short church service at Radwell’s fourteenth century church, to pray for the stewardship of the River Ivel and that a healthy flow be restored so that it can provide a unique habitat in which special plants, invertebrates, fish, birds, and mammals can thrive. North East Herts MP Sir Oliver Heald, who helped set up an All-Party Parliamentary Group on Chalk Streams, will be joining the walk.
Historically, the Ivel was deep enough to be filled with fish while supporting four watermills, breweries and a watercress industry, but it is now a trickle. RevIvel believes that the upper reaches of the River Ivel are drying up because Affinity Water is taking too much water from the source of the river or from the aquifer. The two-mile walk will begin at Ivel Springs Local Nature Reserve, north of Baldock at 2.00pm, followed by a short service at All Saint Church, Radwell at 3.30pm. We will leave at 2.00pm from the parking lot on Norton Road for the The Arena postcode - SG7 5AU (please check the route before arriving)
There will be refreshments in Radwell, where there are toilets at the campground.
RevIvel has worked with North East Herts MP Sir Oliver Heald, and are currently seeking investment to develop a range of alternative water sources, or significantly reduce water wastage.
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