What’s On?
River Mole Discovery Day Sunday 24th September
Sunday 24th September marks World Rivers Day. On that day a host of organisations are coming together on the banks of the River Mole in Leatherhead to celebrate the role that rivers play in all our lives, whether we realise it or not. ‘River Mole Discovery Day’ will be a celebration of our rivers and the River Mole in particular. The task of protecting the river’s waters from threats to its wildlife and its water is a huge one that is shared by a large number of organisations. All of the important ones will be attending River Mole Discovery Day to tell you what they do and provide you with some interesting challenges. If you always wanted to know what lurks within the waters of the Mole, to meet a river monster face to face, to know where the water goes to and comes from or how it gets to your tap, or what happens when it floods, and what fish, birds and insects inhabit its banks. River Mole Discovery Day is for you. All your questions can be answered by a range of experts: ecologists, hydrologists, historians and more. Where can you spot a kingfisher? What is that pink plant I see along the river banks and why are people pulling it up? What is a sink hole? Who built the shell bridge (pic above)? Is the river clean and healthy? What is the rarest plant that grows on the river bank? Can I sail on the river? Is the river clean and healthy? World Rivers Day is a day to celebrate the important role that rivers play in providing a vital corridor for wildlife, in supplying water for different purposes, in draining the land and preventing flooding, and in providing space for people to undertake different leisure pursuits from walking and fishing to canoeing. Rivers are vital to our quality of life and are fragile environments, easily damage and requiring careful management to balance competing needs. Maintaining the biodiversity of the River and its tributaries is a huge challenge if it is to be protected from potential pollution, over-abstraction of water, the invasion of non-native species, the impact of chemicals and a range of other threats. Fortunately the River Mole Catchment Partnership is up to the challenge. The Partnership brings together a host of organisations and volunteers committed to raising water quality and improving wildlife habitats as well as encouraging people to enjoy the river in various ways. The Partnership wants to tell you what it is doing and to challenge you to think differently about the beautiful River Mole.
Come to one of the most beautiful and interesting stretches of the river between the Town Bridge and Thorncroft Bridge in Leatherhead between 12pm and 4pm on Sunday 24th September and bring a picnic. The site is located between the Leatherhead Football Club and the River Mole within the grounds of the Leatherhead Leisure Centre. Children and adults are welcome. There is car parking in the grounds of the Leisure Centre and it is within easy walking distance of Leatherhead Town Centre. 65