Post by Hoppy on Nov 26, 2007 17:09:03 GMT -1
Trusts to protect the future of all our wonderful Welsh rivers
Oct 30 2007 by Moc Morgan, Western Mail
THE year 2007 will we remembered by anglers for many, many different things. To me, it will be the year of the Welsh river trusts.
This has been an incredible year for all who care for the aquatic environment in Wales because of the number of river trusts that have sprung up. To date the river valleys of Wales can boast half-a-dozen river trusts with a seventh due to be launched in January 2008 when the Taff, near Merthyr, will have its own trust.
A river trust is a charitable organisation that brings together people from all walks of life who have the welfare of a valley and its aquatic environment at heart.
River trusts are formed in order to safeguard our rivers. High on the list of their priorities is water quality and water quantity – the trusts are there as a united force to fight against anything that militates against the welfare of the river and the valley in its entirety. It is there to help educate all – and especially the young – about the true value of the rivers of Wales.
As has been said on many an occasion, a river is water in its most beautiful form and it must therefore be protected.
The river valleys of Wales have responded well to the setting up of trusts – in fact Arlin Rickard, national secretary of the river trusts movement, said at the launch of the Carmarthenshire Rivers Trust last week, that Wales now leads the rest of the UK in the number of trusts it has set up.
Just over a century ago Wales was at the forefront in setting up angling clubs along the lengths of its rivers. Thankfully, this form of river management is still going strong and fortunately for the trusts the clubs are able to provide them with a wonderful base.
The launch of the Carmarthenshire Rivers Trust took place in the lavish surroundings of Dynevor Castle in Llandeilo.
The wonderful castles of Wales were built to protect the people while keeping at bay any unwelcome invaders – much the same as the rivers trusts will do with any invaders that challenge the welfare of Welsh rivers.
The event was well supported, with interested parties from all over West Wales there to wish it well.
One of the first trusts to be established in Wales was the Rivers Wye and Usk Trust and undoubtedly it will help guide and advise the other trusts.
From the start, the Wye and Usk Trust was able to utilise its charity status to the full and was able to get grants and funding from a variety of sources, all of which have gone towards enhancing these two beautiful river valleys.
European money has been made available to the trusts in Wales and it would pay all newly- formed trusts to look at the Wye and Usk achievements.
The Pembrokeshire Rivers Trusts kicked off some three years ago and in that short period of time has been able to enhance the habitats of the county’s rivers.
Fish now speed in overdrive over the new fish pass at Haverfordwest – whereas in olden days the pool below the weir provided seals with a bonanza, because of the salmon and sewin’s inability to go over the weir.
Earlier this year the Teifi Rivers Trust was born and in the first six months was able to attract funding to employ officers who have succeeded in producing ideas to benefit the river.
At last week’s launch in Llandeilo, there was much jubilation among the anglers of the Towy valley and beyond. The organisers of the event, to whom great credit must go, were trust secretary Gareth Roberts and chairman Gethyn Thomas.
There was an impressive array of speakers present.
Pat O’Reilly spoke on behalf of the Countryside Council for Wales.
Pat, one-time chairman of the Fisheries, Ecology and Recreation Advisory Committee, has extensive experience in all fishing matters.
He promoted workshops for youngsters at Llandysul for many years and set a pattern for youth environment workshop. Hence he spoke with experience and knowledge.
He referred to the river Towy and its rich environment and hoped that the new trust would prosper.
Dr Graeme Harries, present chairman of FERAC, highlighted the importance of working together for the benefit of the whole river system.
He aptly quoted from President Kennedy’s inaugural speech, ‘Divided there is very little we can do – together there is nothing we cannot do.’ A strong message indeed!
Dafydd Evans, principal fisheries officer of the Environment Agency, spoke of his joy at the formation of the trust and could foresee the huge benefits it would bring to the Towy and its tributaries.
He referred to his local upbringing and although he now oversees fisheries in both England and Wales.
His in-depth knowledge of Welsh fisheries is unsurpassed. He is a “hands-on man” with great vision for the future of our rivers. He spoke of the rich flora and fauna of the Towy valley which will benefit from the trust
The River Towy, in common with the River Teifi, has suffered massive problems with acid rain since 1970.
Many anglers were of the opinion that the acidic fall-out was diminishing, but the latest report from Professor Ormerod of Cardiff University, stated that the research done over the last decade did not produce any good news.
In fact the acid problem is likely to be with us for another half century. With the three trusts – Wye and Usk, Teifi Rivers and the Carmarthenshire Rivers – addressing this prolonged problem, success should follow.
In Wales the trust movement is very fortunate in that it has Professor John Stoner to advise and lead the way. Without his immense input the trusts would not be flourishing.
Vast sums of money have already come to Wales to enhance the rivers and their environment. River trusts have shown that coming together for a common cause is good – especially here in Wales.
Oct 30 2007 by Moc Morgan, Western Mail
THE year 2007 will we remembered by anglers for many, many different things. To me, it will be the year of the Welsh river trusts.
This has been an incredible year for all who care for the aquatic environment in Wales because of the number of river trusts that have sprung up. To date the river valleys of Wales can boast half-a-dozen river trusts with a seventh due to be launched in January 2008 when the Taff, near Merthyr, will have its own trust.
A river trust is a charitable organisation that brings together people from all walks of life who have the welfare of a valley and its aquatic environment at heart.
River trusts are formed in order to safeguard our rivers. High on the list of their priorities is water quality and water quantity – the trusts are there as a united force to fight against anything that militates against the welfare of the river and the valley in its entirety. It is there to help educate all – and especially the young – about the true value of the rivers of Wales.
As has been said on many an occasion, a river is water in its most beautiful form and it must therefore be protected.
The river valleys of Wales have responded well to the setting up of trusts – in fact Arlin Rickard, national secretary of the river trusts movement, said at the launch of the Carmarthenshire Rivers Trust last week, that Wales now leads the rest of the UK in the number of trusts it has set up.
Just over a century ago Wales was at the forefront in setting up angling clubs along the lengths of its rivers. Thankfully, this form of river management is still going strong and fortunately for the trusts the clubs are able to provide them with a wonderful base.
The launch of the Carmarthenshire Rivers Trust took place in the lavish surroundings of Dynevor Castle in Llandeilo.
The wonderful castles of Wales were built to protect the people while keeping at bay any unwelcome invaders – much the same as the rivers trusts will do with any invaders that challenge the welfare of Welsh rivers.
The event was well supported, with interested parties from all over West Wales there to wish it well.
One of the first trusts to be established in Wales was the Rivers Wye and Usk Trust and undoubtedly it will help guide and advise the other trusts.
From the start, the Wye and Usk Trust was able to utilise its charity status to the full and was able to get grants and funding from a variety of sources, all of which have gone towards enhancing these two beautiful river valleys.
European money has been made available to the trusts in Wales and it would pay all newly- formed trusts to look at the Wye and Usk achievements.
The Pembrokeshire Rivers Trusts kicked off some three years ago and in that short period of time has been able to enhance the habitats of the county’s rivers.
Fish now speed in overdrive over the new fish pass at Haverfordwest – whereas in olden days the pool below the weir provided seals with a bonanza, because of the salmon and sewin’s inability to go over the weir.
Earlier this year the Teifi Rivers Trust was born and in the first six months was able to attract funding to employ officers who have succeeded in producing ideas to benefit the river.
At last week’s launch in Llandeilo, there was much jubilation among the anglers of the Towy valley and beyond. The organisers of the event, to whom great credit must go, were trust secretary Gareth Roberts and chairman Gethyn Thomas.
There was an impressive array of speakers present.
Pat O’Reilly spoke on behalf of the Countryside Council for Wales.
Pat, one-time chairman of the Fisheries, Ecology and Recreation Advisory Committee, has extensive experience in all fishing matters.
He promoted workshops for youngsters at Llandysul for many years and set a pattern for youth environment workshop. Hence he spoke with experience and knowledge.
He referred to the river Towy and its rich environment and hoped that the new trust would prosper.
Dr Graeme Harries, present chairman of FERAC, highlighted the importance of working together for the benefit of the whole river system.
He aptly quoted from President Kennedy’s inaugural speech, ‘Divided there is very little we can do – together there is nothing we cannot do.’ A strong message indeed!
Dafydd Evans, principal fisheries officer of the Environment Agency, spoke of his joy at the formation of the trust and could foresee the huge benefits it would bring to the Towy and its tributaries.
He referred to his local upbringing and although he now oversees fisheries in both England and Wales.
His in-depth knowledge of Welsh fisheries is unsurpassed. He is a “hands-on man” with great vision for the future of our rivers. He spoke of the rich flora and fauna of the Towy valley which will benefit from the trust
The River Towy, in common with the River Teifi, has suffered massive problems with acid rain since 1970.
Many anglers were of the opinion that the acidic fall-out was diminishing, but the latest report from Professor Ormerod of Cardiff University, stated that the research done over the last decade did not produce any good news.
In fact the acid problem is likely to be with us for another half century. With the three trusts – Wye and Usk, Teifi Rivers and the Carmarthenshire Rivers – addressing this prolonged problem, success should follow.
In Wales the trust movement is very fortunate in that it has Professor John Stoner to advise and lead the way. Without his immense input the trusts would not be flourishing.
Vast sums of money have already come to Wales to enhance the rivers and their environment. River trusts have shown that coming together for a common cause is good – especially here in Wales.