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Hi everyone

More than a few days later than I expected (apologies), in this newsletter there are details of upcoming talks relating to chalk streams, an update on our Riverfly and Water Quality Monitoring programme, two new FORQ promotional posters and news of a 2022 car rally that is looking to run through North East Hertfordshire, including we believe the Beane, Quin and Rib Valleys.

Three New Chalk Stream Talks

Wood and Water - improving chalk stream habitat with trees
Tuesday 30th November - 7.00pm
A Ver Valley Society talk from Mike Blackmore, Wessex Rivers Trust

Mike Blackmore of the Wessex Rivers Trust, will explain why trees are one of the best natural materials available and describe some of the techniques for using them to improve habitat on our chalk streams. Mike has over 10 years full-time experience in river restoration design and delivery. This includes projects across Southern England South Wales, working with various government agencies, NGOs, angling clubs and community groups

To book your place at this FREE webinar go to: http://ow.ly/3nMS50GbWur

Chalk Streams, Planning and the Local Plan
Wednesday 1st December - 7.30pm
A Chalk Aquifer Alliance Talk from Rosie Pearson, Chair Community Planning Alliance

Rosie Pearson, Chair of the Community Planning Alliance, shares her thought on what can be done to give our environment a better deal in the face of development.

Thousands of houses mean more abstraction, increased road run-off and extra sewage for a creaking infrastructure to deal with. What can we do in the face o these challenges to our chalk streams and their valleys?

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WYyQblmaSWqIPw2M4iY3Tw

Chalk Stream Restoration Strategy: What is says and how to use it
Wednesday 15th December - 7.00pm
A Chalk Aquifer Alliance talk from Charles Rangeley-Wilson

Charles Rangeley-Wilson returns to the Chalk Aquifer Alliance to go through the strategy and the rationale behind the recommendations, and unpack how it can be a useful toolbox for local groups to address certain issues in a targeted way.

This will be an interactive session with plenty of opportunity for discussion.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsd-yorzgsGtQzirW74RO6IOMPdPhOFU-f?fbclid=IwAR0mZdkzESW_t8NTsjy-Nu01wTUuKf4wZeGJrDs1xzzmDXUdNuxW55brYao

Hertfordshire Rally in the Rib & Quin valleys in 2022?

News reached us recently that the Middlesex Automobile Club is in the process of submitting an application to Hertfordshire County Council to organise and promote a 4 Stage Special Stage Rally on closed roads through the Beane, Quin and Rib Valleys of North East Hertfordshire. We understand the proposed rally, scheduled for late June 2022, will include the stages originally planned for 2021: Dane End to Aston, Cromer to Weston, Little Hormead to Braughing and Dowsett’s Lane to Cold Christmas (including Barwick Ford).

Friends of the Rib & Quin supporters may wish to join local residents directly impacted by these plans in sharing views on the proposal with local Councillor David Andrews, MP Sir Oliver Heald, Phil Bibby (Herts County Councillor responsible for Highways) and their local Parish Council, emphasising that the narrow lanes of our valleys are unsuitable for a car rally of this nature. With a proposed stage running directly through the River Rib, pollution from vehicles and spectators is inevitable to this already fragile environment. Lane-side verges that at that time of year include both pyramid and bee orchids amongst their summer species will be directly impacted as will the wildlife generally by the disturbance to a normally peaceful part of the county.

New Friends of the Rib & Quin posters

We have recently produced two posters to raise awareness of the issues facing the Rib and Quin Chalk Streams. If you are in a position to print one out and post it on a noticeboard close to you it would be a great help, both to our rivers and the friends group in making more people aware of the issues and what they can do to help.

Water Quality and Riverfly Monitoring Update
Finally, our Riverfly monitoring and water quality testing continues apace. Four new monitors have been trained recently, with Toby and Nic taking over our Standon site. Our next step is to establish a new site close to Thundridge with Dave and Emma.
Our recently implemented phosphate testing has also begun to show some interesting results, with high levels clearly associated with our testing points located below sewage treatment works that don’t have phosphate stripping facilities. Those treatment works that do have the facility have demonstrably lower levels.
Keep an eye on our website for the latest news on this and our Riverfly survey results as the programme develops.

Until the next newsletter…

Best wishes

Mark