Mersey Basin Campaign Blog

RIBBLE FORUM 08: Q&A

 

This year's Ribble Forum is taking place on Thursday 20th November at the Harris Conference Centre, Garstang Road, Preston. The event will look at a range of projects and developments throughout the Ribble catchment, including:

• The breach of the sea defences at Hesketh Outmarsh 
• The River Douglas Crossing design competition
• United Utilities improvements to river water quality

Throughout the morning there will be opportunities to ask questions of the speakers, and that's where you come in. You can submit your question in advance by leaving a comment below (click on 'Comments'), and we'll provide you with a copy on the day. Of course, if the forum raises a new question for you, you're welcome to ask a fresh question then as well......

Don't forget to leave your name and organisation, so that we know who's asking what!

If you haven't done so already, you can book to attend the forum by CLICKING HERE.

Super Heroes rescue the environment

Residents of Fishwick Estate in Preston could have been forgiven for thinking they were on a film set the other Sunday.  Super heroes and Starwars characters appeared around every corner.

But it wasn't the middle of the latest sci-fi adventure - it was a local group of youngsters doing their bit for MWH Mersey Basin Week by cleaning up the estate.  Lead by Zul Hussain, Fishwick Rangers turned out in brilliant fancy-dress costumes to free the streets of litter.

With all those super heroes around the litter should be banished for a long time!

Well done Fishwick Rangers for showing that improving the environment can be fun.  May the Force be with you.

Up close and personal

RSPB held their annual Estuary under the Microscope event at the Ribble Discovery Centre last Sunday.  Over 300 visitors examined tiny creatures barely visible to the human eye through Chantelle Edwards' microscope.  The larger than life images were displayed on a TV screen for all to see.  This event has become a much loved tradition of MWH Mersey Basin Week at the Discovery Centre and illustrates the importance of the estuary mud as a giant foodstore for the millions of birds that populate the estuary.

Chopping Trees in Cuerden

Cuerden Valley Park Trust in Bamber Bridge is celebrating MWH Mersey Basin Week with a full programme of events.  The River Lostock runs through the picturesque park and a group of volunteers are keen to conserve the area for its heritage and importance for wildlife.

The Sunday volunteers got together on 5 October to improve a pond area that was dug when the nearby M65 motorway was built.  The pond has grown bigger than its creators anticipated meaning trees planted at the time are often growing (and rotting) in the water.

The volunteers felled most of the trees.

Some were ring-barked to become standing dead wood and the brash was burned.  This work opened up the pond and improved the habitat for biodiversity.

The resident herd of Jacob's sheep will now help to keep the scrub from growing.

More Fishy Poems. Taylor's Poem

Beautiful Golden White Fish

You and me,

Sitting on a tree tree.

Watching the fish

Making a special wish.

At the sea sea,

Have a cup of tea tea.

Fish in the sea,

Jumping with lots of glee!!

I saw a fish,

Eating a fish bowl dish.

Singing “yum yum

It’s lovely in your tum”.

Fish in the sea sea,

Learning all about me me.

In out in out,

Jumping all high and about.

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Laura's Poem

CLEVER RIVER

Flutter flutter togther,

Some fish are very clever.

The fish try to talk,

With the heron there to stalk.

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Anna B's Poem

RIVER ROD

To the river I went,

Over the water I lent.

Brought my rod I did.

But they know I have a net,

They’ll swim away I bet.

Brought my rod I did.

What should I do,

I’ll think in a minute or two.

Brought my rod I did.

I put down my rod,

And went for a plod.

Brought my rod I did.

Then I went home,

I had a groan.

Brought my rod I did.

I will be back tomorrow,

Dan’s rod I will borrow.

Take his rod I will !!!

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Rachel's Poem

What Fun Today

Down the river bank I fly,

See people eating pie.

I have a wish,

Then I see a fish.

The river is rippling by,

I fly high in the sky.

A king fisher I am,

I go slam.

What a juicy fry,

I go bye to that fry!!

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Rachel's other Poem

What a Beautiful River

Down the river bank I trot,

Hear the birds tweeting a lot,

Fish jumping high,

Looking at the light blue sky.

I smell nice flowers,
Water falls, April showers.

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Joe's poem

A Silly River

I went on a boat,

But it couldn’t float.

I saw some funky fish,

In the style of a dish.

Whoever saw a fish,
As silly as a dish.

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