Volunteers are needed to help with river restoration work on the Gunthorpe Stream (aka the Thornage Beck) this spring-summer.
The RGCG is planning a programme of “light-touch” stream bed improvements with some digging work to narrow, divert and energize the flow at selected points. We also intend to utilise woody debris to help naturalise the Gunthorpe stream.
This major tributary of the Glaven rises just above Gunthorpe Hall Lake and joins the Glaven at Beck Farm below Hunworth. It flows through meadowlands in the villages of Gunthorpe, Brinton and Thornage. As a result of 1960s-1970s drainage endeavours, many parts of the stream are heavily ditched and highly unnatural with little in the way of sinuosity and deeper pools. Any drainage work has mostly ceased, but a natural recovery of the stream is unlikely without a little help.
The Gunthorpe stream project was initiated after a river walk undertaken by Ian Shepherd, Carl Sayer and river restoration expert Nigel Holmes. Following this walk Nigel Holmes made an assessment of the potential for restoration works as presented at last years AGM.
The aim of the work is to improve habitats for river wildlife especially native white-clawed crayfish and small stream fishes such as bullhead and stone loach. We now have a licence to carry out the work as well as agreement and encouragement from landowners. The next stage is to roll out a work programme and we plan to start things off over Spring to Autumn this year.
We have organised an introduction/workday on Friday 12th April with Nigel Holmes to guide us. The aim is to start in the morning at Brinton Hall, the scene of Nigel’s last demonstration day in May 2012. We would welcome existing volunteers and especially any newcomers. If you are interested in spending the odd day getting some moderate/vigorous exercise in beautiful surroundings to help enhance the wildlife status of the beautiful Glaven valley, and with only a small risk of getting wet you are very welcome!
To help please email or ring me and I can answer any queries and pass on further details as plans evolves. Your help will be greatly appreciated.
Henry Crawley (volunteer organiser): henrycrawley53@gmail.com or 01263 713306