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Events

The Bubbly River Concert 14th May 2023.

by membership 14 May 2023

written by membership

On Sunday May 14th The Ivel Ensemble (Emma Crossley violin, Judit Kelemen viola, Catherine Wilmers cello, Jill Morton piano, Emma Halnan flute and Jonathan Harris horn) performed a very popular concert at St.Mary’s Church in Baldock to a completely full church. They performed a super programme of Mozart and his contemporaries as well as the stunning Schumann Piano Quartet.
Over £2000 was raised with the help of generous donations of cakes from members and supporters. Wonderful raffle prizes were also gifted and sponsorship was obtained. St Mary’s Church in Baldock was very supportive and The RevIvel Association is grateful to them for hosting the concert.

14 May 2023 0 comment

Events Latest News

Growing Baldock consultation March 2023

by membership 30 March 2023

written by membership

Members of RevIvel attended Urban and Civic’s consultation about their new large development in Baldock called ‘Growing Baldock’.

The event was held on Saturday 25th March and Wednesday 29th March 2023 at Baldock Arts and Heritage Centre (old Town Hall),High Street, Baldock.

It was very important that we made our voice heard about the Importance of Best in Class Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) to minimise the negative impact on our precious chalk stream.Further details about this are below to help with understanding the issue .

Urban and Civic have also set up a website https://growingbaldock.co.uk where you can view what they have to say at the moment and also email them or telephone them if you would like to comment, or alternatively register to be kept posted with what’s going on .

RevIvel’s own key takeaways from attending the consulation are

The River Ivel and groundwater were not high on the agenda of many of the residents attending the consultation.
North Herts District Council and Urban & Civics representatives have a poor understanding of the groundwater and sewage issues currently impacting Baldock.
NHDC does not believe we have yet hit the crisis point with a water supply and sewage management in North Herts.
Groundwater and water management are not part of U&C’s “sustainable solution” – They believe it is a water company responsibility.
The current situation with lack of flow to the upper River Ivel is not covered in any of the Urban & Civics posters and information.

So the main message to us is clear – keep up the pressure on water companies and both Herts County Council and North Herts District Council and maintain a strong dialogue with Urban & Civic.

More details about ‘Best in Class Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)’ to a minimise negative impact on our precious chalk stream are

The fundamental principles that influence the planning and design processes
enabling SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) to mimic natural drainage are:

 Storing runoff and releasing it slowly (Attenuation)
 Harvesting and using the rain close to source.
 Allowing water to soak into the ground (Infiltration).
 Slowly transporting (Conveying) water on the surface.
 Filtering out pollutants.
 Allowing sediment to settle out by controlling the flow of water.

Critically SuDS starts with rainwater capture and reuse at source. Sustainable
drainage systems recognises that rainwater is a valuable resource.

 Use surface water run-off as a valuable resource to contribute to water
sensitive urban design (WSUD) and adopt the philosophy of integrating the
water cycle within the built environment.
o Helps manage local flood risk.
o Local wildlife benefits
o Recreational, health and well-being benefits to population
o Recognise rainfall is a scare and valuable resource.
oFocus on rainwater capture and reuse at every property on the development.
o Permeable hard standing on driveways and paths
o Every property with water harvesting features/ water butts for garden
use.

 In chalk catchments use SuDS to encourage infiltration throughout the
development to contribute to aquifer recharge and support groundwater.
 End of pipe solutions where run off is directly discharged to a wetland or pond
should be avoided (faster run off flow, higher levels of pollution).
 If we get this right, we can help manage drought resilience, and limit impact of
the urban development on the chalk aquifer and local wildlife.
 Getting wrong looks like an ever-larger storage options, often favouring a
giant, steep-sided pond at the bottom of the development or worse still urban
flooding/pollution of our precious chalk stream.

30 March 2023 0 comment

Events Latest News

Our Film ‘Restoring the Upper Ivel’

by membership 7 January 2023

written by membership

Over 200 people attended the première of our film ‘Restoring the Upper Ivel’ on 7th January 2023, which was screened in the drama studio at Knights Templar School, Baldock in an overwhelming show of community and cross-party political support.

The film highlights the plight of our river the Upper Ivel which rises from springs in Baldock, one of only 225 chalk streams in the world.

The short film tells the story of our river from its heyday, when flow was sufficient to support mills, trout fisheries and a thriving watercress industry, through to the current plight of the river. The springs and upper reaches of the river are now dry for long periods, largely due to the high quantities of water abstracted (pumped) by the water company (Affinity Water) from the underground aquifer which feeds the springs.

Thanks to members, supporters, and donors in the Spring of last year with the ‘Save our Stream’ appeal we were able to commission a report from industry expert, John Lawson, which notes the Upper Ivel as amongst the most over abstracted chalk streams in the country.

With John’s advice, the film explains how Affinity Water and Anglian Water have agreed to explore the proposed solution to restore flow to the river. The aim / hope is that by 2030, the volume of water taken from the aquifer would be substantially reduced to sustainable levels so the springs and river may thrive again. A circular, low-cost solution is being proposed using largely existing pipelines and facilities. What’s more, this solution may be a pilot project for saving chalk streams nationally. Feasibility studies will start in 2023.

Affinity Water already has plans to reduce abstraction by 228,000,000 litres per annum which sounds impressive but translates only to a reduction of 625,000 litres per day. To put this into context, RevIvel’s request is for a reduction in abstraction of 10,600,000 million litres per day in order to enable the aquifer, and therefore the river, to recover.

RevIvel event organisers, Kathryn Mackenzie and Chris Hobbs, would like to extend enormous thanks to all who attended for their tremendous support to restore the river.

RevIvel have created a YouTube channel and here is the link to the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emo0U6NFqN8&t=10s.

Or click on the link below ….It’s just over 11 minutes long and well worth viewing.

Some wonderful feedback and comments were received that include ….

Heather Bhasin, Baldock resident said ….“Wow! I was both very impressed and very shocked by the film. I knew things were bad, and that the springs were drying up, but I had no idea quite how bad. But I think more of a shock was discovering quite how straightforward the solution may well be. I had been wondering why any water company would consider trying to alleviate the situation. But now that I know that practically everything is already in place, I’m wondering… why on earth would they not?”

David, local resident said ….“I meant to say how well the video was made and how clearly the case for practical reform was conveyed to non-experts”

Comments on Facebook include

Cllr Alistair Willoughby said….It was absolutely fantastic to go along and watch the premiere of the Revivel Film.

The incredible work of all of the volunteers on their campaign has led to this next stage, and it is now incumbent on all of us to continue working to a solution that benefits the ecology of our beautiful natural environment!

Jane Havercroft said …..A really interesting film and wonderful to see so much support from the community

Becky Briant said…..Do check out the film. It’s a really interesting insight into what we need to do to help wildlife locally

Andrew Northcott said ….This was really impressive

Cllr. Tamsin Thomas, Letchworth East said ….Fantastic session today with the RevIvel Association on how we can reverse the damage to the River Ivel by over-abstraction by privatised water companies.
My list of takeaways to be explored in more detail:
The River Ivel is near dead but it can be brought back for future generations. While many parts of the upstream river are dried up, downstream parts are still thriving thanks to tributary rivers. Overtime, the biodiversity will return…once the water starts to flow again. It is not too late but action must be taken.
The near death of the Ivel is a direct consequence of over-abstraction (taking too much water) when other choices are available. The challenge being that chalk does such a good job of naturally cleaning water, abstraction costs reduce by almost half.
Workable solutions do exist thanks to earlier investment in water infrastructure that is not being taken advantage of.
The vast majority of chalk stream rivers in the world are in the UK. We have a unique obligation to protect this natural heritage.
The cost of bringing the Ivel back would be ~£7 per year per household
Affinity Water and Anglian Water are at the table thinking about how they can do better. This is thanks to the activism of Hertfordshire residents.
The work of RevIvel volunteers is incredibly impressive and the event today was massively oversubscribed with people queuing out the building. People really do care about the natural environment and rightly expect water companies to steward Britain’s water resources responsibly.

We really do hope you enjoy watching the film and it would be great if you could share the link with family and friends to help spread the message.

7 January 2023 0 comment

Events

Christmas Charity Concert

by membership 10 December 2022

written by membership

Ashwell’s Big Sing presented their Christmas Charity Concert very kindly in aid of RevIvel on Saturday 10th December.

The event was introduced by RevIvel’s chair Nick Rogers .We would like to thank everyone who attend for their kind donations.

10 December 2022 0 comment

Events Latest News

Revivel Annual General Meeting 1st November 2022.

by membership 21 November 2022

written by membership

RevIvel’s Annual General Meeting was held on Tuesday evening 1^st November and the committee would like to thank everyone that came along and those that passed on their apologies.

The formal minutes are available and can be seen by clicking onto the link below

Minutes Nov 1st 2022 AGM

As an overview the highlights of the meeting were

1 Bernard Butt, RevIvel’s chairman, welcomed members and supporters to the meeting and introduced the committee members and guest speaker, Charles Rangeley–Wilson.

2 The minutes of last year’s AGM meeting were formally approved.

3 Kathryn Mackenzie provided an overview of RevIvel’s key activities and achievements over the past twelve months and her presentation can be seen by clicking onto the link below.

Annual report extract Nov 2022 vFinal

The Lawson report was by far the most important part of the presentation and more information about the report can be seen by clicking onto the link below.

John Lawson Report Nov 2022 vFinal

A second meeting was held on 21^st October with Affinity Water, Anglian Water, The Environmental Agency, Water Resources East, RevIvel representatives supported by Charles Rangley-Wilson and John Lawson to discuss the proposal within the Lawson Report.

It is important to be aware that the water industry operates in five-year cycles known as Asset Management Plans (AMP). We are in AMP7 now and the next cycle is AMP8 (2025 – 2030).

The key takeaways of the meeting were

– Anglian and Affinity Water agreed to work together on a joint project for The Ivel

– A desk-based feasibility study is being planned in 2023. Regardless of findings, the next step would be…

– A site-based feasibility study in AMP8. If viability is confirmed, hopefully the next step would be…………..

– John Lawson’s recommended solution could be implemented in AMP8

The next meeting to follow this up is being scheduled for early December.

Whist the conclusion could be taken as positive there are a lot of ‘ifs’ and ‘maybes’ along the journey and the time period for any definite action is long term.

We will continue to campaign for this solution and consider what the next steps of the strategy are, to try and speed up the process.

4 As part of the formalities of the meeting

– The financial statement 1^st November 2021 to 31st October 2022 was approved

– Five trustees were elected

– A new chairman was elected. After three years Bernard has decided to step down and we would like to pass on our thanks and appreciation for all the time and energy he has devoted to RevIvel’s cause over those three years. Bernard will continue as a committee member.

– RevIvel’s Patron, Nick Rogers was elected as the new chairman, and we wish Nick every success in his new role.

5 Beth Hall presented RevIvel’s focus for 2022 /2023 and Beth’s presentation can be seen by clicking onto the link below.

RevIvel next steps Nov 2022 vFinal 2

6 The highlight of the meeting was guest speaker Charles Rangley -Wilson’s presentation on ‘The National Chalk Stream conservation strategy and River Ivel’s place in it’.

For more information about chalk stream strategies CaBA’s ( Catchment Based Approach ) Chalk Stream Strategy can be found following the below link . This calls for chalk streams in England to be given enhanced status.

https://catchmentbasedapproach.org/learn/chalk-stream-strategy/

7 Date for next year’s diary is RevIvel’s next Annual General meeting on November 21^st 2023.

21 November 2022 0 comment

Events

Stotfold working steam fair

by membership 10 October 2022

written by membership

Revivel attended the Working Steam Weekend at Stotfold Mill on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th October.

Many thanks go to the committee members and volunteers that helped on the stall over the two days.

It was a great opputunity to get across our messages and several new members joined and some kind people made donations.

10 October 2022 0 comment

Events Latest News

Bishop leads pilgrimage and service in support of the River Ivel

by membership 11 September 2022

written by membership

On Sunday 11^th September 2022 The Rt Reverend Richard Atkinson, Bishop of Bedford and The Reverend Bill Britt, Vicar of Radwell, Stotfold and Fairfield lead a pilgrimage along the Upper Ivel to show community support for this rare chalk stream and highlight the atrocius condition it is in .

The walk started at 2.00pm at The Arena car park, Norton Road, Baldock and finished in Radwell at All Saints Church with a short service at 3.30pm.

In the Church Times article Bishop leads chalk-river pilgrimage protest Revd. Bill Britt is quoted as saying “I just couldn’t believe how many people came. I think it was a convergence of two trends — the concern about rivers, particularly chalk rivers, and the popularity of pilgrimage; the idea of people gathering with others, having a shared experience and a shared purpose.”

11 September 2022 0 comment

Events

Revivel attend Letchworth Green Festival

by membership 10 September 2022

written by membership

On Saturday 10th September 2022 Revivel committee members attended the Letchworth Garden City Green Festival.

It was a very successful day talking to everyone about the plight of the Upper Ivel, many who were unaware of the dreadful condition it is in .

The festival was organised by green-minded volunteers with support from Letchworth Heritage Foundation , Love Letchworth and Friends of the Earth.

10 September 2022 0 comment

Events

What has happened to our river?

by membership 5 September 2022

written by membership

‘The demise of the upper River Ivel and the plight of all chalk streams’ was the subject of a presentation to the Letchworth Arts and Leisure Group at the Settlement in Letchworth. This was given on September 5^th 2022 by the two ‘Catherines’, Kathryn Mackenzie and Catherine Wilmers to an audience of 67.

They talked about the the RevIvel Association being founded in 2019 to highlight the plight of the upper River Ivel. They then focussed on what a chalk stream is. Slides were shown of the present dry riverbed, and they mentioned the history of the upper Ivel including neolithic remains, and the Roman villa south of Radwell, the water mills, watercress beds, fisheries, and the biodiversity in chalk streams. These all show that there was water all year round in the upper Ivel. They also explained the solution to the present lack of water: which is to take water from further downstream, Grafham reservoir and stop abstracting from the head of the Ivel. This has the support of Anglia Water, the Environment Association and Water Resources East. The amazing canoe trip that adventurer Richard Meredith Hardy has undertaken along the dry riverbed at the start up to Offord near Grafham was also described and illustrated. The audience were shocked and also complimentary about the presentation. An invitation has been proffered to return with a showing of the film of the upper Ivel which is being prepared.

5 September 2022 0 comment

Events

Special ‘Trout’ concert in aid of Revivel

by membership 21 May 2022

written by membership

A special concert was held at 7.30pm on Saturday May 21^st in St. Mary’s Church, Baldock to raise funds for The RevIvel Association.

Schubert’s Piano Quintet nicknamed the ‘Trout’, with its unusual instrumentation of piano, violin, viola, cello and bass was performed. This was a particularly apt choice of music for a concert in aid of RevIvel! It is extraordinary that it was written when Schubert was only aged 22. It holds a special place in the repertoire for its sublime intensity and astonishing beauty and is named by many music-lovers and professionals as a favourite piece of chamber music. Mendelssohn’s rich and exciting Trio in C minor, Bottesini Elegy in D (bass) and Kreisler’s Schön Rosmarin (violin) completed the programme. The musicians are all experienced professionals, who have given many concerts together and feature in www.cwilmers.co.uk and www.jillmorton.com.

21 May 2022 0 comment

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