DEEP in the Stour valley, a team of dedicated volunteers have been bringing a forgotten riverside walk back to life.
Pockets of open space and woodland that surround the River Stour at Stambermill as it snakes from Stourbridge to Lye have been long known to dog walkers and local explorers but for many people in Stourbridge it’s a hidden gem they’ve never heard about let alone visited.
The work is part of a Love Your River Stour project run by The Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust, funded by the Government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund. It aims to transform the River Stour and the green spaces along its banks into a beautiful and wildlife-rich source of pride for the local community.
River restoration officers Sally Clague and David Howard are leading volunteer days on alternate Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Stambermill in Stourbridge.
Volunteers can get involved with a variety of activities from path clearance and maintenance to grassland creation and woodland improvement, which includes felling of trees and planting of more diverse species and ground flora.
Stourbridge and Lye Town councillor Dave Borley has been among a team of dedicated volunteers who have been digging out old, muddy pathways to pave the way for a new riverside walkway at the forgotten beauty spot near the Stourbridge Viaduct.
He said: “Already we’ve made significant improvements to the pathways with the invaluable help of local residents. Hopefully more will come and join.”
As part of the project, the trust has also launched an online survey for residents to share their views on the River Stour.
The survey aims to help the trust understand how people use and connect with the river and local streams and to gather opinions on environmental issues affecting the area and health of the water – to help shape future river restoration projects.
People can complete the survey online at surveymonkey.co.uk/r/XZ38WKK or request a paper copy by emailing LYRS@bbcwildlife.org.uk
The survey is open to people over 18 who can also enter a draw to win a goody bag worth more than £45.
David Howard, River Restoration Officer at Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust, said: “This survey will be really helpful in understanding how local people connect with the River Stour and what they think about it.
"We really want local communities to get involved with the project and help us to transform the River Stour area.”
To mark International Action for Rivers day on March 14, river engagement officer Kasia Kordybacha is inviting people to join her at litter picking events to keep the green spaces along the river banks tidy and clear of debris.
She said: “I’m really looking forward to meeting local people to provide information about how we can all take action to improve the health of the river from litter picking to changing the products we use to wash our cars.”
A litter pick will be held at Stambermill on Wednesday March 16 10am to 2pm.
Another event will also be held at Smestow Valley Local Nature Reserve on Monday March 14 from 10am to midday and from 12.30pm to 2pm, as part of the same project.
To book a place to attend go to bbcwildlife.org.uk/events or to get involved with the project as a volunteer go to bbcwildlife.org.uk/volunteer.
Further events and activities are planned throughout the year, including celebrating World Fish Migration Day on Saturday May 21.
Residents can keep up-to-date with the project and opportunities to get involved by signing up for an e-newsletter online at bbcwildlife.org.uk/LoveYourRiverStour or click on the link at the top of the article.
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