The Association of Rivers Trusts (ART) held an inaugural Awards Dinner in recognition of excellence and achievement at its successful Autumn Seminar on the Water Framework Directive (WFD), held on the River Ribble in Lancashire, on the 9th and 10th November.

Over 100 delegates from Great Britain and Ireland gathered to hear of opportunities under the new EU Directive from key speakers including WWF, Defra, Environment Agency, NFU and leading Rivers Trusts. Following the seminar, delegates attended a glittering Awards Dinner where the Association and VIP’s announced the five recipients of the first awards of their kind, “in recognition of excellence and achievement” and their contribution to the growing Rivers Trusts Movement.

The 2004 Association of Rivers Trusts Awards, supported by WWF & HSBC included a cheque of £2000 for each recipient (to be spent on the river conservation project of their choice) together with a certificate and a specially commissioned, water themed vase in lead crystal.

“Award for Contribution to Science” presented by Professor Lynda Warren to:
Dr Ronald Campbell, Tweed Foundation

“Award for Contribution to Best Farm Practice” presented by Professor Ed Maltby to:
Simon Evans, Wye & Usk Foundation

“Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer” presented by John Bateman of HSBC to:
Philip Lord, Ribble Catchment Conservation Trust

and two “Special Lifetime Awards for Outstanding Contribution to the Rivers Trust Movement” presented by Dr Dafydd Evans of the Environment Agency the first to:
Dr Martin O’Grady, Central Fisheries Board (Ireland) the second awarded to:
Dr Alastair Stephen, Scottish & Southern Energy plc (Scotland) - who was unavoidably absent and accepted on his behalf by Dr Ronald Campbell

Arlin Rickard, Director of the Association of Rivers Trusts who acted as MC for the evening said, “These awards represent a landmark in the development of the Rivers Trust Movement and reflect a massive body of work undertaken over the last fifteen years. The Association is delighted to be able to mark each of the winner’s achievements in this way and raise the profile of Rivers Trust’s activities up and down the Country.”

“In particular, I would like to thank WWF & HSBC for their support of ART initiatives and Ian Gregg, ART’s Chairman who proposed and launched the awards programme.”

This year’s award winners will be invited back to next year’s ceremony to give a short presentation on how they have chosen to spend their money. Nominations for the 2005 ART Awards programme will open in the spring with generous support from WWF, HSBC, Atlantic Salmon Trust and Salmon & Trout Association. Details may be found on the ART website: www.associationofriverstrusts.org.uk

For further information and digital pictures from the awards and seminar contact:
Alan Hawken (ART Secretary) on 01726-822343
E-mail: alan@associationofriverstrusts.org.uk

Unsightly abstraction at Footholme (R.Dunsop tribs)	ART awards in lead crystal	Phillip Lord receives his award from John Bateman (HSBC)	Stocks Reservoir on the R. Hodder

The presentations given at the Ribble seminar, along with other previous seminar presentations are available to order online at www.associationofriverstrusts.org.uk. The seminar archive and details about any future planned seminars can be found under the news section.

• Of the eight rivers in the valleys known as the Yorkshire Dales, the River Ribble is the only one to flow west into the Irish Sea
• People have lived in the area around the Ribble Estuary for at least 10,000 years
• The River Ribble and its estuary was used by ships visiting Preston for business purposes as early as 1360
• The Ribble Basin is home to 1.25 million people with many people living in Preston, Wigan, Burnley and Blackburn
• The tidal limit of the Ribble is 11 miles (17 kilometres) inland (above Preston)
• The mouth of the Ribble Estuary is 10 miles (16 kilometres) wide
• It is a salmon river and supports at least 16 types of fish

The Ribble Catchment Conservation Trust is seeking a manager to assist the Board of Trustees with the production of a catchment restoration plan, to liaise with local organisations and identify funding streams and prepare and submit applications. The manager will be based at Clitheroe, Lancashire and will report directly to the Trust Chairman - for further information see the ART website or contact Philip Lord the Trust's Chairman.

Phillip Lord - Chairman
Ribble Catchment Conservation Trust
Spring Bank House
Cow Ark
Clitheroe
Lancashire
BB7 3DG

Tel: (01200) 448619

E-mail: cowark619@aol.com