1 Market Place, Hadleigh, Suffolk, IP7 5DN
Community News
April 2022
01473 372 222 thelettingdepartment.co.uk
Our river is in safe hands! In March, HEAT was proud to host a “Network Alliance Meeting” with a focus on the environmental well-being of the River Brett. The presenters included specialists from the Environmental Agency, Affinity Water, The Essex and Suffolk River Trust and The Riverfly Partnership organisation. Each passionately delivered interesting and topical content to a packed Community Room at the URC. Steve Farthing (Hadleigh Angling Club) also provided an overview of the environmental support they have provided in the past and their thoughts in general. Also in attendance was Keith Marsland from Hadleigh Scouts, representation from the Stour Valley Farmers Cluster and “PACE”, a similar group to HEAT based in Manningtree. HEAT’s aim for the river, year on year is to improve the bio-diversity associated with the River Brett both upstream and downstream. This is through monitoring and restoration activities, while ensuring the River Brett is enjoyed by all. HEAT wanted to build on the monitoring activities that were initiated in 2021 and take it to the next level in 2022, whilst ensuring strong partnership with all River Brett stakeholders. This meeting was the “spring board” to launch these 2022 goals. All presentations were extremely well received and there was a real buzz of enthusiasm at the end of the meeting. There is now a very tangible action plan which includes 10 HEAT volunteers who are being trained on invertebrate monitoring which will provide an indication of the health of the river. They will carry out monthly sampling (from Chelsworth to Shelley), with the results being logged on a national database. The training and monitoring equipment will be provided using funds from Hadleigh Town Council. Surveys will also be conducted to identify potential areas for restoration work or the removal of invasive species such as Himalayan Balsam. And finally, all the presenters have agreed to keep in touch, act as consultants and provide continued guidance – a fabulous resource for HEAT to call upon. If you would like to read more about this event and other HEAT activities then visit the newly launched website www.hadleighheat.org where you can also register yourself under the “Get Involved Link” – all are welcome.
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