NEW INIATIVE FOR 2012
Eyes and ears needed to create greener streams
A new initiative as part of the Greenstreams Project
is now underway to help make the most of arguably, one of Huddersfield’s most under valued assets, the River. The project
aims to bring to task those offenders who still have not cleaned up their act and litter the riverbanks with their rubbish. Beth Allcock
from Environmental Alliance said, “there are now many more people using the river for informal recreation. This is a
result of massive investment over the last 10 years to clean up the river and improve public access to it. However, because
of irresponsible and careless behaviour by a relatively few people the riverbanks continue to be littered in places, especially
by discarded plastic and metal sheeting. This is a real put off for those wishing to visit the river where fish and wildlife
now thrive, and means local community groups have to waste their time cleaning up after others.” However, the
Greenstreams Project with the support of Kirklees Council Enforcement Team, the Examiner and helpers in local businesses and
amongst community groups, is now out on the riverbank surveying and identifying the culprits. Having established the location
of problem sites where waste materials are pouring into the river, Environmental Alliance will invite the offenders to clean
up their act with a little help and guidance on how best to do this. Should the response be less than enthusiastic in helping others in looking after
this great asset, the Council’s Enforcement Team will be called in to deal with the offenders. Hopefully though this
will be unnecessary. Another important part of the project will be the eyes and ears on the riverbank and for this we
will be enlisting the help of community groups and local businesses to alert us to any problems. So far funding
has been provided from Kirklees Council’s Environment Grant scheme to undertake work on the River Colne between Marsden
and Huddersfield but additional funding is being sought to work on the River Holme and the Colne down to Cooper Bridge. If you know
of a problem site on the River Colne between Marsden and Huddersfield please call.
July 2011. Greenstreams is one of the latest Charities
to become involved in a new Government iniative called The Mandatory Work Activity Program. The aim of this program is to provide people claiming
job seekers allowance with a four week work placement of 30 hours a week. The placement has to be a benefit to the community
and Greenstreams has been selected as an ideal project to support this activity. It is expected that the first people
will become involved in the Project in August and will provide assistance to the Riverside Warden under the supervision of
the management team of Environmental Alliance. This is a really exciting opportunity for the programme and will help
to bring forward some of the more long term plans. The Greenstreams programme administrator, John
Lancaster, will work closely with The Mandatory Work Programme to ensure that there is always a work opportunity
for anyone who would like to become involved.
Grosvenor Chemical Fire - June 20th 2011
October 2010
PRESS RELEASE- Greenstreams Cleans Up
With the shades of autumn increasingly dominant why
not visit our rivers to see them - arguably at their best. Better still why not help out to make them even more attractive
places for people to visit. The Greenstreams Project, is running 3 tidy up events on the River Colne during October and November
and is looking to the public for help. Sessions will run from 10am - 2pm on the dates
below and are open to all, either to stay the full session or just spare an hour to help out. Whilst older children are welcome
they must, however, be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Sturdy footwear and waterproof clothing are essential
and volunteers may also wish to bring a packed lunch to enjoy a picnic by the river and watch for the wildlife. In order for us to ensure that we have enough tools and safety equipment it would be helpful if prospective
volunteers could give notice of attendance via phone or email. The events are being held on the following dates:
Saturday 23rd
October, Aspley Playground: Meet just upstream of Wakefield Road in Huddersfield
Saturday 6th November,
Lockwood Scar: Meet on the corner where the riverside footpath leaves Queens Mill Lane.
Tuesday 30th
November, Paddock Riverside: Meet at the bottom of Stoney Battery Lane (just off Manchester Road).
If anyone would like to get involved with any of
the activities mentioned, please contact Beth at:
Environmental Alliance 01484 533422.
E-mail beth.allcock@environmental-alliance.co.uk
Every year the UK conservation charity 'the Wild Trout Trust' (WTT) http://www.wildtrout.org holds a fund raising auction in support of its habitat protection and restoration work. In 2008
Bryan Russell from Essex was the lucky winning bidder for a days guided fishing on the river Holme at Lockwood (donated by
another WTT member; local lad Mick Pogson).
Bryan thoroughly enjoyed his days fishing and marvelled at the quality
and quantity of wild trout and grayling that thrived in the river; remarking that he spent vastly more mony to fish Hampshire's
famous River Test and that he caught far more fish in the Holme! However, Bryan (as a conservationist and WTT member)
was shocked at the litter in and around the river and pledged a generous sum of money in a letter to local MP Barry Sheerman
to kick start a clean-up campaign. As Bryan said "I live in Essex and I care about the river; does anyone in Lockwood"?.
The gauntlet was well and truly thrown down............
A
fun course on a serious issue 8th March 2010
On the 8th March
12 people took part in a course on safety by water margins, delivered by Kirklees Adventurous Activities Team, as part of
the Greenstreams project. Representatives from Urban Mines, FMG, Hillside School, Kirklees Young People’s Service, Calder
and Colne Rivers Trust, Environmental Alliance and Newsome Out to Play Group took part.
The
training started with a session in the classroom but then moved outside to the canal bank and riverside. After the initial
shock of two of the trainers ‘falling’ in the canal without warning the participants set to learning rescue techniques.
The same two victims were repeatedly rescued from the River Colne at Aspley. It is hoped that these skills will never be needed
but at least the trainees now know how to minimise the risk whilst letting people have fun by the water.
This logo above was dsigned by the children of
Hillside Primary School
