Posted by Association Cleanup Coordinator

Date: 20 April 2007

Every year, the winter floods bring with them a whole host of rubbish and detritus. The majority of this rubbish is usually deposited on the water we control. To ensure the banks are safe to walk, the River is safe to wade and cleared of obstructions, periodically, the Association organises a River Cleanup.

Usually these Cleanups occur on the first Sunday of every month throughout the season. (Click here for more details!) Attendance fluctuates and is mainly attended by the stalwarts of the Association........the Committee!

They can serve a number of purposes, some I've mentioned previously. Another which isn't at first evident is the knowledge you can gain by just being there. If you're a new Association member, by attending one or more of these River Cleanups, you will gain countless seasons knowledge of the River stretch that is undergoing a cleanup, learn about the different lies fish take under different water conditions and also learn about some of the tactics and flies that other Association members have used to take fish from this particular stretch. It makes sense to be there!

The cleanup that took place on Sunday 4th April cleared from the Bomb pool to just below the Swanee Run Bridge.

Looking Upstream toward the Bomb Pool

Looking downstream from the Swanee Bridge

Here's just a few photos of the Association members and the Rubbish that they cleared from this small stretch!

A coil of Rope!

A bike!

A mattress and shopping trolley!

A hoover and Freddy Mercury impression!

Chairman of the Escape Committee with another bike!

A group photo with all the Rubbish.

Hopefully, you can see from the small selection of photos above, just how much rubbish is thrown, left and washed into the River each season. It doesn't just end there though! This happens on a regular basis and is the reason why we have River Cleanups.

All we ask is a few hours of your time, the first Sunday of each month to help us keep the River banks clear and the River clean. Make the effort and come and join us! You never know what you might learn or find!?