ART Awards
The Association of Rivers Trusts held our 5th Annual Awards Dinner on Monday 7th September at the London Wetland Centre, Barnes, in South West London.

This year we were extremely proud to bring together the work being undertaken in and around the capital by four of our Rivers Trust members; Thames Rivers Restoration Trust, Thames 21, Action for the River Kennet and the Wandle Trust. It is important to recognise the value of Rivers Trusts in urban areas; involving communities in planning, engaging volunteers and tackling socio-economic issues, as well as in mainstream environmental improvements. It is also timely to introduce new and exciting policy and project initiatives for 2010, and to review progress on River Basin Management Plans and the delivery of real improvements on the ground that will contribute to meeting Good Ecological status.

Press Release
A press release from the Environment Agency on the seminar entitled "River restoration groups join forces" can be read by clicking here. Format - Word, Size - 211kb

Association of Rivers Trusts Awards “in recognition of excellence and achievement…”

Award for Contribution to Science
Sponsored by Atlantic Salmon Trust - Cheque for £1,000 and an ART Lindean Mill vase
Presented by Ivor Llewelyn

Nominations:
Dr Laurence Couldrick (WRT) Development of educational tools for rivers trusts
FBA, NE & EA partnership Windermere freshwater pearl mussel "ark" project
Alan Keys & Frank Mitchell (Ballinderry) Freshwater pearl mussel breeding programme

Award for Contribution to Best Fisheries Project with Environmental Benefits
Sponsored by Salmon & Trout Association - Cheque for £2,000 and an ART Lindean Mill vase
Presented by Paul Knight

Nominations:
Action for River Kennet Coopers Meadow improvement project
East Yorks Chalk RT (Alan Mullinger) Water Forlorns, Driffield - Improved brown trout spawning access
Wandle Piscators’ (William Tall) Riverfly Monitoring Initiative

Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer
Cheque for £1,000 and an ART Lindean Mill vase
Presented by Ian Gregg

Nominations
Janet Antrobus & Judith Wallen Leading a voluntary force to remove Himalayan Balsam on R Kent
Dave Brown Outstanding contribution to Sussex Ouse & R Adur Conservation Societies
Andrew Caldwell Managing delivery of the Exe river improvement project
Brian Hodgson Outstanding contribution to trust development in North Wales
Deborah Millward Managing delivery of the Raydale river improvement project
Alan Mullinger Hands on leader of East Yorks Chalk Rivers Trust
Rob Mungovan Work with Friends of the River Shep

Public Sector Award
ART Lindean Mill vase
Presented by Ian Gregg

Nominations:
FBA, NE & EA partnership Windermere freshwater pearl mussel "ark" project
Allan Frake (EA) 37 years' working for the benefit of rivers in the Wessex Area
Jenny Wheeldon (NE) River Avon Valley Initiative & STREAM Project (Hants)
Martin Williams (EA) Ongoing and practical support of Westcountry Rivers Trust

ART Special Award for Contribution to the Rivers Trusts Movement

Nominations:
Dr Anne Powell (Thames RRT) Over 25 years' contribution to application of ecosystem management
Dr Laurence Couldrick (WRT) Development & teaching of degree course for rivers trust movement
Celia Hensman MBE (Thames 21) Development of Thames 21 over last 15 years
Frank Jones & Helen Johnston (Afonydd Cymru) Establishing and developing Afonydd Cymru
John Lawson (WUF & ARK) Wide ranging contribution to the trust movement

The John S Hills Memorial Award
Presented by the Thames Rivers Restoration Trust
For outstanding contribution to the objectives of TRRT

and the winners are....

AST Science Award Alan Keys & Frank Mitchell Ballinderry for their work on Freshwater Pearl Mussels	Image currently unavailable
S&TA Fisheries Project Award Charlotte Hitchmough ARK Coopers Meadow Improvement Project	Image currently unavailable
Volunteer Alan Mullinger East Yorks Chalk Rivers Trust	Image currently unavailable
Public Sector Award Allan Frake (EA)	Image currently unavailable
Special Award Celia Hensman MBE (Thames 21)