A new environmental charitable trust for the North East has been successfully launched to help in the management of the ecology of the River Tyne.

The Tyne Rivers Trust’s first project is to pull together all existing information concerning the river, identify all those with an interest in the river and those already working to look after it, and to produce an Action Plan, prioritising the future work of the Trust.

It will identify and encourage best practice in the management of the river catchment. The Trust aims to work with organisations such as the Environment Agency, One NorthEast, DEFRA, land owners, schools and recreation bodies to encourage best practice in the management of the river and to improve its long term future.

Local residents, businesses, officials and representatives of recreational organisations gathered at Hexham Racecourse on 8th March to show their support for the new trust. Children from St Mary & St Thomas Acquinas Primary School in Stella, on the banks of the river, created special artwork for the event after learning about the importance of the river and its environmental issues.

The event, sponsored by local businesses, Armstrong Watson Accountants and Robert Muckles Solicitors, was also attended by key figures from One NorthEast, the Environment Agency, DEFRA and the World Wildlife Fund as well as many charitable organisations in the region.

At the launch, Chairman of the Trust Paul Torday, explained: “We need the Rivers Trust on the Tyne to build on the successes that have already occurred, such as improving water quality and fish stocks and recreational use that has resulted from that.”

“The Trust aims to help educate communities in the value of a regions river and to ensure involvement by the wider community in the management and improvement of the river.”

“Responsibility for the improvement of the river is something that cannot just be left to Government agencies - they do an excellent job but need support and more resources which the Trust can provide. The Trust can act as a project manager on schemes to improve the habitat for fish, for wildlife and for bird life, and can help to co-ordinate the work of existing initiatives up and down the river”

Margaret Fay, Chairman from One NorthEast also spoke about the importance of a healthy Tyne to a flourishing regional economy and how the River Tyne also provides a tangible link between the urban and rural parts of the region. She also announced that One NorthEast will provide pump priming funding of £30,000 to help the new trust to establish a research based action plan for the river.

Arlin Rickard, Director of Association of Rivers Trusts, spoke about the need for the Rivers Trust locally and the movement nationally and what it has achieved and hopes to achieve. He said: “In each area of the Country where Rivers Trusts have been established they have made an immense contribution to the improvement of the aquatic environment and river basin management for public benefit.”

Arlin Rickard presents Paul Torday, Chairman of Tyne Rivers Trust, with their ART Membership Certificate

“During my visit to the River Tyne I heard of many water related environmental and conservation issues which need to be tackled, including those linked to water quality in the estuary and ensuring the free passage of migrating fish. I am also heartened to see where those involved with the Trust had already achieved significant improvements through community project partnership activities. The establishment of the Tyne Rivers Trust will help to build on these partnerships, drive new initiatives and ensure hard won improvements are sustained.”
Other speakers on the night also included Alistair Balls Director, Northumbrian Water plc, Alistair Maltby, of Eden Rivers Trust, and John Hogger from the Environment Agency.

The Tyne Rivers Trust has been established following concern about the enormous pressures put upon natural water resources. Demands from construction work, successive drainage schemes, agriculture and the impact of our industrial heritage have all been taking their toll on the river for years.

The Trust is already working closely with the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority (TWPTA) which is proposing the construction of the new Tyne Crossing between East Howdon and Jarrow and will involve dredging a deep trench across the river.

If the new Tyne Crossing receives the go-ahead, the TWPTA will fund the Trust to carry out work on the river to compensate for any damage done to fish stocks as a result of the construction works.

For more information contact Paul Torday Tyne Rivers Trust Chairman on: 07884 310 799 or E-mail: tordaypaul@aol.com

To support its development the Tyne Rivers Trust is seeking to appoint a Project Manager, and ART is pleased to support them by publishing full details of this position on our website. The initial 2-year post is an exciting prospect for an enthusiastic individual to develop a career in a beautiful part of the country, on a major catchment and under the guidance of an exceptionally good group of Trustees.

For further details please click here

Salmon on the River Ettrick - picture by Rob Eyton-James

The Spring Seminar programme has been extended this year to include a workshop session aimed mainly at new and emerging trusts, starting at 4.00pm on Monday 9th May, supported by our auditors Mazars. This will cover compliance, finance and other issues generally faced by trusts in setting up etc. Our intention is to be informal, with a series of short topical presentations and panel question and answer sessions for wide participation and practical advice. Berwick is on the main East Coast rail link and the station is 10 minutes from the impressive and central Guild Hall.

The workshop will be followed by ART’s first Annual General Meeting at 6.45pm and an informal buffet supper from 7.30pm. Although the AGM will incorporate the formal business required of an incorporated company and only registered members are entitled to vote, it is “open house” and Arlin Rickard will make use of the occasion to give a presentation of activities during the last year. We would stress that ART membership is open to all, and we would be delighted to welcome individuals and organisations as registered members. A membership application form which sets out membership categories etc, may be found on the ART website.

The seminar presentations will occupy the second day and are themed on the evolving nature of fisheries management. The objective is for us better to understand how we can make a positive impact, based on sound science. As at previous seminars, the relatively short and light presentations will be liberally interspersed with sessions for questions, discussions and a chance to mingle. The day will finish with an informal supper at Paxton House, which is a splendid country house on the banks of the Tweed, with even an old salmon netting station in its grounds for you to see!

After being “indoors” on the second day, our hosts, the Tweed Foundation, are arranging a field visit to see some of the features and issues facing the Tweed catchment on Wednesday, 11th May. Starting and finishing at Paxton House, this will concentrate more on the lower Tweed, which will provide a contrast with headwater issues seen on previous field visits. We would add that we are aware that several may wish to depart early on the Wednesday. Rather than miss out altogether on the field visit, please note that we will arrange to “ferry” those of you who need to leave at lunchtime back to Paxton House or Berwick.

Part funded by the EU Interreg IIIC Programme, through our Union des Terres de Rivieres networking project across 10 European countries we have been able to keep costs at a modest level to encourage colleagues and friends to attend. Please pass this invitation to others who may be interested in attending or let us have their contact details and we will happily send them a personal invitation. Details can also be downloaded from our website: www.associationofriverstrusts.org.uk - We look forward to seeing you there!