2012 River Stour Renewel articles:

Work begins to save the shabby Stour

3:58pm Monday 13th February 2012 in News

Volunteers cleaning the river Stour near Lye

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THE campaign to save the shabby river Stour got under way when a clean-up crew tackled litter in Lye.
Stourbridge environmentalists were out in force for the first of a series of events to remove rubbish and spruce up the river which they say has been neglected for too long.
Members of Transition Stourbridge joined a Pick 'n' Pint team from Tidy Stourbridge on February 12 to gather grot from Botts Lane, Dudley Road and Mears Coppice plus The Forge Industrial Estate and the River Stour.

David Colley, from Tidy Stourbridge, said “This was our most successful Pick’n'Pint in terms of numbers and litter collected, sadly we should not be in this position in the first place.
"The borough and the UK in general is sinking in it’s own filth and something has to be done to end this environmental vandalism."
During a 90 minute litter pick, around 30 activists filled 30 sacks with rubbish including car parts, fly-posters and wheel trims.
Six sacks of drinks cans were also collected which will be sold to raise cash for a cancer charity.
Transition Stourbridge is urging people to join their campaign to clear up the waterway which gives Stourbridge its name.

The group is planning a series of events during the summer to rid the river of rubbish and pollution which is an eyesore and threatens wildlife.
More events are planned for next month, Tidy Stourbridge will be hitting the streets on Sunday March 11, meeting at 2pm at The Samson and Lion, Brierley Hill Road, Wordsley.
On Sunday March 25 the river will again be the focus of both group's workers during a litter pick from 2pm starting at the Stour, Bagley Street, Lye.

For more information visit www.transitionstourbridge.co.uk or www.tidystourbridge.org.uk

Stour campaigners set for Lye litter pick

12:00pm Saturday 11th February 2012 in News

THE campaign to restore shabby sections of the River Stour is on its way to Lye this weekend.
Members of the Tidy Stourbridge group are planning to team up with Transition Stourbridge for a litter pick on the Stour in Lye.
People are being urged to meet on Sunday February 12 at 2pm at the site of the Formula 1 Autocentre next to The Forge Industrial Estate, Dudley Road, Lye.
Activists are planning to work their way along the river, anyone planning to join the clesan-up is advised to bring suitable footwear and clothing.

Campaigners' SOS call to Save Our Stour

5:14pm Thursday 2nd February 2012 in News

The shabby River Stour (Picture courtesy Graham Beckley)

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CAMPAIGNERS are sending out an SOS to rescue a neglected waterway which is at the heart of Stourbridge history.
The Transition Stourbridge group says it is time to Save Our Stour and is urging people to get involved with their project to transform the shabby litter-strewn river into a wildlife and tourist haven.
The eco-friendly group's River Project aims to highlight how people can play their part in cutting levels of litter and pollution in the Stour.
Rosanne Adams, from Transition Stourbridge, said: "When we did our first litter pick by the river we saw all this rubbish and we just knew that can't be right, it seemed to be in a neglected and sad state and full of plastic litter.
"There are some lovely areas along the Stour which are littered and pollution is very damaging for wildlife."
Transition Stourbridge says one of the major causes of pollution is household appliances which have been connected to drains that empty into the river.
The group is recommending people check with the Environment Agency to ensure items like washing machines are connected to pipework which will not pour chemicals into the river.
Transition Stourbridge's long-term aim is to work with the Waterside Care Project, a pilot scheme supported by British Waterways and the Environment Agency, to rid the river of damaging pollution and create trails for walkers along its banks.

The River Project is being launched as the town prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Stourbridge, when community activists cleared the area's canal in a demonstration of people power which pioneered the restoration of hundreds of miles of Britain's canals.
Russell Eden, founder member of Tidy Stourbridge and chairman of the Stourbug cycling group, believes the Stour has been forgotten by authorities who lack resources or the will to care for the river which gave Stourbridge its name.
Mr Eden said: "Anybody walking along the river in Stourbridge would be disgusted by what they see. Nothing ever happens, the people in charge are keeping it hidden - it is intentional neglect."

He added the River Rea in Birmingham is a good example of an urban river which has been regenerated to create attractive public spaces for visitors to the city.
Transition Stourbridge is calling for volunteers to join a Tidy Stourbridge river litter pick on Sunday February 12 or the first organised River Project litter pick on Sunday March 25.
For more information visit the group's exhibition at Stourbridge Library or call Rosanne Adams on 01384 390095.