Our rivers are crucial ecosystems, providing essential resources such as drinking water and habitats for a rich abundance of wildlife. They are also cherished spaces for recreation, relaxation, and reconnection with nature. Unfortunately, over time, our bond with these vital waterways has dissipated, and communities have become increasingly disconnected from the natural environments around them.
The ‘Our Blue Spaces’ project aimed to rekindle this lost connection by fostering a renewed appreciation and passion for the natural surroundings in the Radstock, Midsomer Norton and Paulton areas. To achieve this goal, BART organised several community engagement events in and around Radstock, encouraging residents to explore, learn about, and care for their local river environments.
One event was a community river dipping session held in Midsomer Norton last autumn, along the Wellow Brook. This event provided locals with opportunities to learn new skills, meet new people, and participate in various river-based activities. The BART team educated the community about their river, water quality, and how to identify invertebrates inhabiting the waters. They also explained how household water usage impacts the river. Participants used nets to sample and identify riverfly invertebrates, with the session featuring additional fun activities like mini raft building from natural materials.
Additionally, BART hosted a Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) event, which involved installing a rain planter at Radstock Town Football Club. Enthusiastic members of Radstock in Bloom joined BART to help fill and plant up the coal truck-inspired SuDS planter. This rain planter, along with an accompanying educational poster, aims to inform the local community about the benefits of sustainable drainage systems. Sustainable drainage slows the flow of water, helping to reduce local flooding and sewage overflow. Find out more about SuDS and how you can help here. The event was designed to inspire residents to incorporate more sustainable drainage practices in their own homes and gardens. These efforts by BART aimed to reconnect the community with their rivers and instil a lasting appreciation for the natural environment.
A huge thank you to the Bristol Avon Catchment Partnership, and Bath and North East Somerset Council for funding and supporting this project.
