CHILTERNSCHALK STREAMS PROJECT

ANNUAL REVIEW 2018/19

Project Officer’s reportThe past year has been an eventful one for both the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project

(CCSP) and the rivers it seeks to protect and conserve. The year began positively enough with the winter of 2017/18 providing some respite for the area’s

parched rivers. Although below average, recharge to the severely depleted aquifer was sufficient to bring about a modest recovery in flows for many of the rivers. Indeed, even the Hughenden Stream and Hamble Brook made a brief reappearance in the Spring. There was an additional boost, for some rivers at least, as Affinity Water reduced abstraction at sites in the Gade, Misbourne and Hughenden valleys as part of its sustainability reductions programme. These reductions are aimed at increasing the resilience of flows and will hopefully benefit the rivers in the long term.

The Project continued to work with the Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust and volunteers to develop the Chilterns, Herts & Middlesex Riverfly Hub.

The Hub was set up in 2014 to train volunteers in the Riverfly Partnership’s Anglers Riverfly Monitoring Initiative survey technique and to support riverfly

monitoring groups. It is a great example of cross catchment partnership working and is supported by the upper Lea and Colne catchment partnerships. This year the

Hub supported the set-up of new river groups and the establishment of the R. Thame Conservation Trust’s own riverfly hub.

Perhaps one of the most exciting developments for the Project this year has been the recruitment of a new officer, Ceri Groves, to lead our Education and Engagement work. Made possible through £50,000 funding from Thames Water, this is a real game changer for the Project and will enable it to greatly expand and enhance its education work over the coming year.

An initiative of the Chilterns Conservation Board, the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project is a partnership of statutory

agencies, local authorities and voluntary bodies which aims to conserve and enhance all major chalk streams in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and to encourage enjoyment and understanding of them. The Project provides advice to landowners on river and riparian management, carries out practical projects to enhance the streams for wildlife, improves access where appropriate, undertakes surveys and provides education resources for schools.

The Chiltern Hills were designated as an Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB) in 1965. This is in recognition that the Chilterns countryside is amongst the finest in England and Wales. The Chilterns Conservation Board works to ensure that the special qualities of the area are conserved.

2019/2020 Achievements to date and still to come …

Two Riverfly courses held and one more to be held in October

New web-based education resources developed

R. Chess Water vole survey

R. Wye, Wye Dene & West Wycombe Park habitat enhancement schemes

Trout in the Classroom programme introduced to the River Wye

Launch of the River Chess Smarter Water Catchment

Expenditure Amount (£)

Officer costs £40,053

Officer expenses £614

Office costs £167

Events & publications £224

Riverfly Hub £859

Total expenditure £41,917

Surplus for year* £44,221

* To be carried over for continuation of Education and Engagement Project

OUR FINANCIAL YEARFINANCIAL STATEMENT 2018–19

BerkshireBuckinghamshireOxfordshire

For more information about the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project and to find out how you can get involved please contact us:

abeechey@chilternsaonb.org 01844 355502 www.chilternsaonb.org/chalk-streams @chilternstreams

Income Amount (£)

Chilterns Conservation Board £2,500

Environment Agency £7,000

Affinity Water £5,000

Thames Water £5,000

Chiltern Society £5,000

Bucks CC £2,000

Chiltern DC £1,000

Education & Engagement Project (Thames Water)

£50,000

Project management income £7,000

Fees/donations £995

CCSP reserve £643

Total income £86,138

A working partnershipThe considerable achievements of the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project would not be possible without the committed support of partners.

Section of the R. Wye at Wye Dene to be restored this winter.

Allen Beechey, Chilterns Chalk Streams Project Officer

Working with Chiltern Rangers and volunteers from businesses and the local community, a scheme to restore a 250m stretch of the Wycombe Marsh Brook in High Wycombe was completed in August. The CCSP designed the project and assisted with development of the scheme over a series of six work parties. Part of the Revive the Wye initiative, the scheme involved removal of a weir and the creation of 80m of new chalk stream channel through an old watercress bed.

The Project continued to work with Chiltern Rangers and the River Chess Association on a project to enhance habitat for water voles on a 500m reach of the R. Chess at Latimer Park. Volunteer work parties were held over the winter of 2018/19 to remove large stands of Laurel that were heavily shading the river. Further work is planned in 2019/20.

In January, the CCSP provided support to Chesham Town Council to help improve access to the river at Canon’s Mill Wood in Chesham as part of the Impress the Chess initiative. The work included installation of dog steps, repair of eroded banks and the replacement of two public benches at this popular location. The £3,000 project was funded by Chesham Town Council and Tesco Bags For Life Scheme.

A series of volunteer work parties coordinated by the CCSP was held over the summer to control Himalayan balsam in the headwaters of R. Gade. More than 80 volunteers took part in 2018, clearing balsam from the river at Great Gaddesden.

The Project continued to work alongside co-hosts Groundwork South and key stakeholders under the banner of the Colne Catchment Action Network securing £15,000 for the continued development and delivery of the Colne Catchment Plan. In November, the first annual Catchment Partnership Conference was held at Annables Farm in the Ver Valley with over 50 stakeholders attending.

Working in partnership with Queen Mary University of London and the River Chess Association, the CCSP developed a water quality monitoring project – ChessWatch – for the R. Chess, successfully securing £22,000 funding for its delivery in 2019-20.

Chiltern Rangers secured £70,000 from Thames Water to carry out community-led river habitat enhancement schemes at eight sites along the R. Wye in 2019-20. The CCSP provided technical support in December to help identify sites and begin planning the works.

The Project worked with colleagues at the Chilterns Conservation Board to develop an application to UK Power Networks for a scheme to underground electric cables in the Chess Valley. The £2.4 million project successfully passed both application stages. The work is expected to take five to ten years to complete.

The CCSP held two Riverfly courses, training 25 new volunteer monitors. It also supported the establishment of a new riverfly group on the Horsenden Stream in Princes Risborough.

The Project completed seven advisory visits on the rivers Wye, Gade, Chess, Misbourne and Ver to provide advice on riparian management and river restoration options.

The Project received the good news in December that the Chilterns Conservation Board’s application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for its Chalk Cherries & Chairs Landscape Partnership Scheme had been successful. One of the eighteen projects that make up the scheme is Water in a Dry Landscape, which was developed by the Chalk Streams Project. This £40,000 project aims to assess the health of the chalk springs and streams that flow from the base of the Chilterns chalk escarpment and carry out river restoration work. The Project will start in April 2019.

The long, hot and dry summer in 2018 led to declining groundwater levels, dwindling flows and at times unprecedented levels of demand for water from the public. By the autumn, the soils were much drier than average which meant that less than half the total amount of rain that fell during the winter was able to percolate into the chalk aquifer to recharge the groundwater store. With such a poor recharge season and groundwater levels already below average for the time of year, most of the Chilterns rivers began 2019 with long dry sections at a time when they should have been flowing strongly. Without a wet summer, the prospects for the Chilterns’ chalk streams in 2019 looked bleak, and so it has turned out.

No one who has seen the state of the Chilterns chalk streams this year can deny that they are rivers in crisis. A combination of climate change, high and rising demand for water and abstraction have crippled these precious habitats. As I write, more than 63% of the total length of chalk stream habitat in the Chilterns AONB is dry and groundwater in some catchments is at its lowest level ever recorded. Climate change, increasing demand for water and abstraction have devastated these precious habitats. However, we have reason to be optimistic. Key stakeholders are now recognising the need to take urgent action and I do believe that a strategic approach, involving the Project, Government, water companies, the Environment Agency and key stakeholders will improve the fortunes of our precious chalk streams.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2018-19

Volunteers constructing a marginal shelf on

the Wycombe Marsh Brook, June 2018.

Affinity Water volunteers helping out on the

Latimer Park Project, September 2018.

Installing dog steps on the R. Chess at Canon’s

Mill Wood, Chesham January 2019.

R. Gade Balsam Bash, July 2018.

Riverfly monitor surveying the R. Chess.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FIRST SIX MONTHS Assisting the River Chess Association in the delivery of the 2019 Trout in the

Classroom project. Five schools completed the programme. Teachers provided useful feedback on resources required to inform the new web-based learning resource. A number of schools on the River Wye have signed up to join the Trout in the Classroom programme in 2020.

Leading more than 400 children on visits to the River Chess, River Wye and Ewelme Brook. Trips to the river were followed up with water saving workshops at school. Visits were delivered in partnership with a number of local organisations including River Chess Association, Restore Hope Latimer and Chiltern Rangers.

Engaging local communities at four events as part of the ChessWatch project and two additional events with partners. This resulted in a new collaborative partnership with the River and Rowing Museum in Henley-on-Thames.

Supporting Queen Mary University in the delivery of the ChessWatch project, which aims to carry out continuous monitoring of the River Chess for a period of a year using in-stream sondes (devices fitted with probes to measure a number of water quality parameters). As part of this project 201 people responded to questionnaires about their use and concerns for the Chess which will help inform the future management of this much-loved river.

Coordinating a programme of nine volunteer days at two sites to control the spread of Himalayan Balsam on the Rivers Misbourne and Gade. Almost 350 volunteer hours have been put into this work during spring and summer 2019. Work parties have been led by the CCSP, Chiltern Society and Chiltern Rangers. An information leaflet was distributed to all residents of Little Missenden to raise awareness of invasive species problem and asking people to report any other sightings.

17 schools, groups and businesses engaged in water efficiency or ecological activities so far.

In January 2019, Ceri Groves joined the CCSP on an 18-month contract as Education and Engagement Officer. The new role, funded by Thames Water, will help to raise the profile of this threatened Chilterns habitat and highlight the important link between how we use water at home and the state of the natural environment.

EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT PROJECT

Family river event, Latimer Park.

ChessWatch stand at Chorleywood

Village Day, July 2019

Allen Beechey, Chilterns Chalk Streams Project Officer

Working with Chiltern Rangers and volunteers from businesses and the local community, a scheme to restore a 250m stretch of the Wycombe Marsh Brook in High Wycombe was completed in August. The CCSP designed the project and assisted with development of the scheme over a series of six work parties. Part of the Revive the Wye initiative, the scheme involved removal of a weir and the creation of 80m of new chalk stream channel through an old watercress bed.

The Project continued to work with Chiltern Rangers and the River Chess Association on a project to enhance habitat for water voles on a 500m reach of the R. Chess at Latimer Park. Volunteer work parties were held over the winter of 2018/19 to remove large stands of Laurel that were heavily shading the river. Further work is planned in 2019/20.

In January, the CCSP provided support to Chesham Town Council to help improve access to the river at Canon’s Mill Wood in Chesham as part of the Impress the Chess initiative. The work included installation of dog steps, repair of eroded banks and the replacement of two public benches at this popular location. The £3,000 project was funded by Chesham Town Council and Tesco Bags For Life Scheme.

A series of volunteer work parties coordinated by the CCSP was held over the summer to control Himalayan balsam in the headwaters of R. Gade. More than 80 volunteers took part in 2018, clearing balsam from the river at Great Gaddesden.

The Project continued to work alongside co-hosts Groundwork South and key stakeholders under the banner of the Colne Catchment Action Network securing £15,000 for the continued development and delivery of the Colne Catchment Plan. In November, the first annual Catchment Partnership Conference was held at Annables Farm in the Ver Valley with over 50 stakeholders attending.

Working in partnership with Queen Mary University of London and the River Chess Association, the CCSP developed a water quality monitoring project – ChessWatch – for the R. Chess, successfully securing £22,000 funding for its delivery in 2019-20.

Chiltern Rangers secured £70,000 from Thames Water to carry out community-led river habitat enhancement schemes at eight sites along the R. Wye in 2019-20. The CCSP provided technical support in December to help identify sites and begin planning the works.

The Project worked with colleagues at the Chilterns Conservation Board to develop an application to UK Power Networks for a scheme to underground electric cables in the Chess Valley. The £2.4 million project successfully passed both application stages. The work is expected to take five to ten years to complete.

The CCSP held two Riverfly courses, training 25 new volunteer monitors. It also supported the establishment of a new riverfly group on the Horsenden Stream in Princes Risborough.

The Project completed seven advisory visits on the rivers Wye, Gade, Chess, Misbourne and Ver to provide advice on riparian management and river restoration options.

The Project received the good news in December that the Chilterns Conservation Board’s application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for its Chalk Cherries & Chairs Landscape Partnership Scheme had been successful. One of the eighteen projects that make up the scheme is Water in a Dry Landscape, which was developed by the Chalk Streams Project. This £40,000 project aims to assess the health of the chalk springs and streams that flow from the base of the Chilterns chalk escarpment and carry out river restoration work. The Project will start in April 2019.

The long, hot and dry summer in 2018 led to declining groundwater levels, dwindling flows and at times unprecedented levels of demand for water from the public. By the autumn, the soils were much drier than average which meant that less than half the total amount of rain that fell during the winter was able to percolate into the chalk aquifer to recharge the groundwater store. With such a poor recharge season and groundwater levels already below average for the time of year, most of the Chilterns rivers began 2019 with long dry sections at a time when they should have been flowing strongly. Without a wet summer, the prospects for the Chilterns’ chalk streams in 2019 looked bleak, and so it has turned out.

No one who has seen the state of the Chilterns chalk streams this year can deny that they are rivers in crisis. A combination of climate change, high and rising demand for water and abstraction have crippled these precious habitats. As I write, more than 63% of the total length of chalk stream habitat in the Chilterns AONB is dry and groundwater in some catchments is at its lowest level ever recorded. Climate change, increasing demand for water and abstraction have devastated these precious habitats. However, we have reason to be optimistic. Key stakeholders are now recognising the need to take urgent action and I do believe that a strategic approach, involving the Project, Government, water companies, the Environment Agency and key stakeholders will improve the fortunes of our precious chalk streams.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2018-19

Volunteers constructing a marginal shelf on

the Wycombe Marsh Brook, June 2018.

Affinity Water volunteers helping out on the

Latimer Park Project, September 2018.

Installing dog steps on the R. Chess at Canon’s

Mill Wood, Chesham January 2019.

R. Gade Balsam Bash, July 2018.

Riverfly monitor surveying the R. Chess.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FIRST SIX MONTHS Assisting the River Chess Association in the delivery of the 2019 Trout in the

Classroom project. Five schools completed the programme. Teachers provided useful feedback on resources required to inform the new web-based learning resource. A number of schools on the River Wye have signed up to join the Trout in the Classroom programme in 2020.

Leading more than 400 children on visits to the River Chess, River Wye and Ewelme Brook. Trips to the river were followed up with water saving workshops at school. Visits were delivered in partnership with a number of local organisations including River Chess Association, Restore Hope Latimer and Chiltern Rangers.

Engaging local communities at four events as part of the ChessWatch project and two additional events with partners. This resulted in a new collaborative partnership with the River and Rowing Museum in Henley-on-Thames.

Supporting Queen Mary University in the delivery of the ChessWatch project, which aims to carry out continuous monitoring of the River Chess for a period of a year using in-stream sondes (devices fitted with probes to measure a number of water quality parameters). As part of this project 201 people responded to questionnaires about their use and concerns for the Chess which will help inform the future management of this much-loved river.

Coordinating a programme of nine volunteer days at two sites to control the spread of Himalayan Balsam on the Rivers Misbourne and Gade. Almost 350 volunteer hours have been put into this work during spring and summer 2019. Work parties have been led by the CCSP, Chiltern Society and Chiltern Rangers. An information leaflet was distributed to all residents of Little Missenden to raise awareness of invasive species problem and asking people to report any other sightings.

17 schools, groups and businesses engaged in water efficiency or ecological activities so far.

In January 2019, Ceri Groves joined the CCSP on an 18-month contract as Education and Engagement Officer. The new role, funded by Thames Water, will help to raise the profile of this threatened Chilterns habitat and highlight the important link between how we use water at home and the state of the natural environment.

EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT PROJECT

Family river event, Latimer Park.

ChessWatch stand at Chorleywood

Village Day, July 2019

CHILTERNSCHALK STREAMS PROJECT

ANNUAL REVIEW 2018/19

Project Officer’s reportThe past year has been an eventful one for both the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project

(CCSP) and the rivers it seeks to protect and conserve. The year began positively enough with the winter of 2017/18 providing some respite for the area’s

parched rivers. Although below average, recharge to the severely depleted aquifer was sufficient to bring about a modest recovery in flows for many of the rivers. Indeed, even the Hughenden Stream and Hamble Brook made a brief reappearance in the Spring. There was an additional boost, for some rivers at least, as Affinity Water reduced abstraction at sites in the Gade, Misbourne and Hughenden valleys as part of its sustainability reductions programme. These reductions are aimed at increasing the resilience of flows and will hopefully benefit the rivers in the long term.

The Project continued to work with the Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust and volunteers to develop the Chilterns, Herts & Middlesex Riverfly Hub.

The Hub was set up in 2014 to train volunteers in the Riverfly Partnership’s Anglers Riverfly Monitoring Initiative survey technique and to support riverfly

monitoring groups. It is a great example of cross catchment partnership working and is supported by the upper Lea and Colne catchment partnerships. This year the

Hub supported the set-up of new river groups and the establishment of the R. Thame Conservation Trust’s own riverfly hub.

Perhaps one of the most exciting developments for the Project this year has been the recruitment of a new officer, Ceri Groves, to lead our Education and Engagement work. Made possible through £50,000 funding from Thames Water, this is a real game changer for the Project and will enable it to greatly expand and enhance its education work over the coming year.

An initiative of the Chilterns Conservation Board, the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project is a partnership of statutory

agencies, local authorities and voluntary bodies which aims to conserve and enhance all major chalk streams in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and to encourage enjoyment and understanding of them. The Project provides advice to landowners on river and riparian management, carries out practical projects to enhance the streams for wildlife, improves access where appropriate, undertakes surveys and provides education resources for schools.

The Chiltern Hills were designated as an Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB) in 1965. This is in recognition that the Chilterns countryside is amongst the finest in England and Wales. The Chilterns Conservation Board works to ensure that the special qualities of the area are conserved.

2019/2020 Achievements to date and still to come …

Two Riverfly courses held and one more to be held in October

New web-based education resources developed

R. Chess Water vole survey

R. Wye, Wye Dene & West Wycombe Park habitat enhancement schemes

Trout in the Classroom programme introduced to the River Wye

Launch of the River Chess Smarter Water Catchment

Expenditure Amount (£)

Officer costs £40,053

Officer expenses £614

Office costs £167

Events & publications £224

Riverfly Hub £859

Total expenditure £41,917

Surplus for year* £44,221

* To be carried over for continuation of Education and Engagement Project

OUR FINANCIAL YEARFINANCIAL STATEMENT 2018–19

BerkshireBuckinghamshireOxfordshire

For more information about the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project and to find out how you can get involved please contact us:

abeechey@chilternsaonb.org 01844 355502 www.chilternsaonb.org/chalk-streams @chilternstreams

Income Amount (£)

Chilterns Conservation Board £2,500

Environment Agency £7,000

Affinity Water £5,000

Thames Water £5,000

Chiltern Society £5,000

Bucks CC £2,000

Chiltern DC £1,000

Education & Engagement Project (Thames Water)

£50,000

Project management income £7,000

Fees/donations £995

CCSP reserve £643

Total income £86,138

A working partnershipThe considerable achievements of the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project would not be possible without the committed support of partners.

Section of the R. Wye at Wye Dene to be restored this winter.