Save the date – 8th July – to Save the Lugg!

The beautiful River Lugg stretches 63 miles from its source in Radnorshire, flowing through north Herefordshire to join the Wye. Originally Afon Llugwy in Welsh, meaning “bright stream”, the Lugg is sadly now in worsening health like the ailing River Wye. We’re pleased to be hosting an evening of authoritative speakers and discussion to pinpoint the causes and solutions. This will be the final part of a day of Save the Lugg events on Friday 8^th July highlighting Leominster’s local river.

We’re delighted that Leominster’s mayor, Green Party councillor Trish Marsh, has chosen CPREHerefordshire as her mayoral charity for the year. Now we’re hosting an evening at Grange Court as part of the Save the Lugg event in Leominster on the 8th July.

Earlier on, our local team of Citizen Science volunteers will be talking to the public.  They’ll demonstrate what their work testing the waters of the Lugg and its tributaries involves. They’ll be at their stall in Corn Square (HR6 8YP) Leominster during the Friday market from 9-12 am.

After that follows a lunchtime concert at Leominster Priory (HR6 8NH) from 12 noon – 1pm, celebrating the River Lugg in words and music.

Information, debate and moving forward

We’re then hosting an evening of information and debate at Grange Court (HR6 8NL) where we will be exploring the reasons and solutions for the present state of the river. The evening event runs from 6.30 – 9.00 pm and refreshments will be available at a pay bar.

Our first speaker will be Helen Stace, outgoing Chief Executive of Herefordshire Wildlife Trust. She’ll be explaining why the health of our rivers is so important. Penelope Gane, lead solicitor for Fish Legal, will then focus on how to make polluters pay. Following on, Dr. Alison Caffyn of Cardiff University will describe how the numbers of intensive poultry sheds are rocketing with severe impacts on pollution levels. These industrial scale units are a far cry from the traditional image of hens scratching round happily in the farmyard. Finally our very own Andrew McRobb will talk about our team of citizen scientist volunteers. These wonderful folk are getting out there come rain or shine to do the crucial work of regularly testing pollutant levels. A recent Environment Agency report on the River Wye has stressed what an important contribution they’re making.

The speakers will then answer your questions, you’ll have a chance to air your comments and suggestions and we’ll discuss action.

There is public parking close to all events at Etnam Street Car Park (HR6 8AE) – free from 6pm. All the events are free but we will welcome donations to the mayoral charity.

Please email us with any queries:- admin@cpreherefordshire.org.uk

Charity number:- 1194146