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Ribble Rivers Trust Blog


  • Weir removal takes Long Preston deeps closer to nature
    Weir removal takes Long Preston deeps closer to nature

    September has been a busy month for Ribble Rivers Trust, with two weir removals, one newly created fish bypass channel, the start of two new fish passage projects, plus the creation of the longest fish pass in England which is still in progress. One of these projects was the partial removal of Long Preston weir.…

  • Work nears completion on Primrose Lodge fish pass
    Work nears completion on Primrose Lodge fish pass

    What is thought to be England’s longest fish pass is nearing completion. The fish pass is being created as part of the Primrose Lodge Blue and Greenway Project (PLBGP), which is being completed by Ribble Rivers Trust in partnership with Primrose Community Nature Trust (PCNT). The work, which has been delayed to flooding and COVID-19…

  • Invasive species; the battle continues
    Invasive species; the battle continues

    Over the summer our Ribble Life Together home learning content featured lots of information about invasive species, and this year they’ve yet again proved to be a serious problem across the catchment. Many of us have spent a lot more time than usual outside, discovering new places, and looking towards nature and the outdoors to…

  • Start a new adventure with Geocaching
    Start a new adventure with Geocaching

    Have you heard of ‘Geocaching’? If not, you’ve been missing out! Geocaching is an exciting treasure hunt, which takes place in a hidden outdoor world that is literally all around us. Anyone can take part in geocaching, and it’s a fun, free, and family friendly way to get outside and discover new places whilst looking…

  • Combating carbon: how to reduce your carbon footprint
    Combating carbon: how to reduce your carbon footprint

    The first step to reducing your carbon footprint is to get an idea of what your carbon footprint is. Once you’ve calculated your footprint you can then look at the areas where need to make changes

  • Work begins on Holland Wood fish pass
    Work begins on Holland Wood fish pass

    Holland Wood Weir lies on the River Darwen, close to its confluence with the River Ribble and the limit of the tidal Ribble area. The weir was originally constructed to provide water to the nearby Walton Mill, which historically milled corn and flour. Although the mill, which is now operated by Massey Bros, still exists…

  • Dam removal experts come together for webinar
    Dam removal experts come together for webinar

    Ribble Rivers Trust are very excited to be taking part in a two-hour webinar programme hosted by Dam Removal Europe. As part of the webinar a live stream will show part of a dam removal at the Marieberg powerplant, Sweden. Additionally, expert speakers from a wide range of backgrounds will be discussing strategies on how to…

  • Fish Too Will Pass
    Fish Too Will Pass

    Salmon and trout can swim in a stretch of Lancashire river where they’ve not been seen for 200 years, thanks to an ambitious Ribble Rivers Trust project. Work has just been completed on a fish pass at Dunkenhalgh Weir, allowing salmon and trout to swim as far as Accrington for the first time in two…

  • Samlesbury weir removal work complete
    Samlesbury weir removal work complete

    Ribble Rivers Trust are happy to announce that our work to remove Samlesbury weir is now complete. As with all our weir removals and fish passage projects we are happy that our work has made this stretch of river more wildlife and fish friendly, but it is also significant as this redundant 50 year old…

  • WEIR REMOVAL WORK BEGINS AS £1.45M PROGRAMME OF 10 RIBBLE RESTORATION PROJECTS GETS UNDERWAY
    WEIR REMOVAL WORK BEGINS AS £1.45M PROGRAMME OF 10 RIBBLE RESTORATION PROJECTS GETS UNDERWAY

    Local contractors begin ambitious in-stream project after adapting working practices to comply with COVID-19 safety guidance. The Ribble Catchment Partnership has seized on the opportunity provided by exceptionally low spring water levels to start work on a transformational project to return the river to its natural course at Samlesbury. In what is believed to be…

  • Fact file: Horse Chestnuts
    Fact file: Horse Chestnuts

    Horse chestnuts (Aesculus hippocastanum) are actually a non-native species, introduced in the 16th century from Turkey, and planted widely in parks, streets, and gardens. This is why you rarely find them in woodlands. Horse chestnuts can grow up to 40 meters tall and live for over 300 years. This tree species is well known for…

  • A Year on the Ribble- Press Release
    A Year on the Ribble- Press Release

    Capturing the beauty of the River Ribble on camera over the course of a year is the focus of a new community photography project. A Year on the Ribble is an art installation by Ribble Rivers Trust (RRT) as part of Ribble Life Together, a project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Photography stands…

  • Phoebe’s work experience blog
    Phoebe’s work experience blog

    Week 1 Monday When I arrived, I was met by Helen who showed me around the office, introduced me to the other members of staff and went through my induction. We then visited Balderstones primary school to check on the tank, which is part of Trout in the Classroom. We then had a site visit…

  • Ribble Rivers Trust greetings cards
    Ribble Rivers Trust greetings cards

    Here at Ribble Rivers Trust we’re really excited to announce that we’ve teamed up with local artist Jessica Jenyns. Jessica has created some beautiful river themed greetings cards which are handmade, hand-finished, and environmentally-friendly; plus 50p from each card sold will be donated to the Trust. Jessica says; “Inspiration for my work comes from the…

  • Snow, heat waves, and floods- the effects of climate change and how we can help
    Snow, heat waves, and floods- the effects of climate change and how we can help

    A long-standing member of our Loud Facilitation Group who farms in Chipping has been recording and monitoring rainfall on her land for decades and her results are in for February… in total the farm was deluged by 333.2mm of rainfall in just one month! This is a record for February, and the 4th wettest month…

  • National Apprenticeship Week
    National Apprenticeship Week

    Apprenticeships are a great way to gain qualifications whilst you work, earn money, and gain the skills you need to work in your chosen sector. Plus the combination of knowledge and experience means apprentices stand out from the crowd, which is really important in industries such as conservation, where gaining experience and getting paid work…

  • How can I reduce my carbon footprint?
    How can I reduce my carbon footprint?

    Climate change is a big issue, and the subject is finally getting the attention it deserves. Research shows that we have around 10 years to dramatically change our lifestyles, which is a really scary thought. But there is time, and there are lots of little changes we can make to our day to day lives…

  • Trout in the Classroom- inspiring children across our catchment
    Trout in the Classroom- inspiring children across our catchment

    Our first trout eggs of the school year have now been delivered safely to schools Balderstone and Accrington, with more eggs due to be delivered over the coming week. Education and engagement are some of the most important parts of our work, and our Trout in the Classroom sessions have been a hit with primary…