River Char Community Project
Next River Char Community Project Event:
Join a Dorset Wildlife Trust volunteer working party (led by Nick Gray) on the river on Thursday 26th January.
For this volunteer working party, we are heading out to the depths of the Vale, near Shaves Cross, to undertake some thinning of the canopy over a riffle. This’ll let light in and promote plant growth on the bed and the banks. It’s a lovely spot, and if we are successful, there’s a chance we’ll return later in the year to do more.
It’ll be from 10am until 3pm (ish). Tea, Coffee and Cake will be provided, but bring your own lunch.
Tools will be provided, but please bring your own gloves. Clothes that can take a wrestle with a few brambles are a must. The ground isn’t that muddy, so sturdy boots will do… but wellies might be the better option considering the proximity to the river.
Parking will be in the field. The postcode is DT6 6RN, which takes you to Little Bluntshay Farm, and we are just to the south of here, almost directly under the powerlines themselves. What3Words for the farm gate is ///rebounded.dorm.insects. The Grid Reference is SY 41449693.
If you prefer the old way: take the road opposite the Five Bells. After Blackmore Farm and Cutty Stubbs, turn left towards Shave Cross. Look for the power lines before you get to Little Bluntshay and Crabbs Bluntshay.
For this volunteer working party, we are heading out to the depths of the Vale, near Shaves Cross, to undertake some thinning of the canopy over a riffle. This’ll let light in and promote plant growth on the bed and the banks. It’s a lovely spot, and if we are successful, there’s a chance we’ll return later in the year to do more.
It’ll be from 10am until 3pm (ish). Tea, Coffee and Cake will be provided, but bring your own lunch.
Tools will be provided, but please bring your own gloves. Clothes that can take a wrestle with a few brambles are a must. The ground isn’t that muddy, so sturdy boots will do… but wellies might be the better option considering the proximity to the river.
Parking will be in the field. The postcode is DT6 6RN, which takes you to Little Bluntshay Farm, and we are just to the south of here, almost directly under the powerlines themselves. What3Words for the farm gate is ///rebounded.dorm.insects. The Grid Reference is SY 41449693.
If you prefer the old way: take the road opposite the Five Bells. After Blackmore Farm and Cutty Stubbs, turn left towards Shave Cross. Look for the power lines before you get to Little Bluntshay and Crabbs Bluntshay.
2023_rccp_newsletter.pdfRead the January 2023 newsletter of the River Char Community Project.
Here's a video of the Green Party's Baroness Jenny Jones's visit to Lyme Regis to learn more about pollution in our rivers.
What can I do to help clean up and restore the River Char?
Habitat improvement & restoration: A community working group session (led by Nick Gray, Dorset Wildlife Trust) will clear the riverbank, increase light and oxygen for aquatic species and use natural flood management techniques. 26th January 2023
email charvalley@dorset-aptc.gov.uk for details
email charvalley@dorset-aptc.gov.uk for details
PLEASE empty your septic tank regularly and help keep the river clean
Overflowing, leaking and damaged septic tanks are a significant source of pollution in the River Char. We can all help by keeping our own tank working well and emptied regularly. (Whatever your dad says, septic tanks need emptying at least every 2 years if they're to work properly.) We've gathered useful information to help you look after your septic tank better. See it here.
Overflowing, leaking and damaged septic tanks are a significant source of pollution in the River Char. We can all help by keeping our own tank working well and emptied regularly. (Whatever your dad says, septic tanks need emptying at least every 2 years if they're to work properly.) We've gathered useful information to help you look after your septic tank better. See it here.
River Char Community Project
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Read more about sewage and other pollution in the lower River Char2022 River Sightings:
Kingfisher at Berne Manor Farm - 22nd Jan 2022 Mink at Dolphins, Berne Lane - 6th March 2022 Read the full River Char Report commissioned by your Parish Council from Dorset AONB - published Dec 2021
The River Char and Monkton Wyld Stream Catchment
Is my river fit to play in? Check the online map at the Rivers Trust
Watch BBC Panorama'a 'The River Pollution Scandal' (In 2020 the water companies pumped raw sewage into English rivers for a total of over 3million hours) Read The Guardian's article - Britain oozes sewage You can watch the AONB film that launched the River Char Community Project in summer 2021 below:Project FundingWe are currently putting together the action programme for the next twelve months which we expect to be finalised in April. We hope to publish an update on the financing of the project then.
For the financial year 2021/22, Dorset AONB, working in partnership with DWT and FWAG, secured funding for the River Char Community Project from:
Activity supported through this funding (some, but not all of it, in the River Char catchment) included:
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