River Freshney Bank Clearance

On the 15th of August the day arrived when the cutting back of the weeds on the River Freshney started.
The turnout was good and all the support we were promised was in place from the Council and Community Payback.
Very special thanks must go to Pete from Green Futures whose staff trained the strimmer operators and then he got his wet suit on to reach the parts that other workers couldn't reach. Green Futures Staff also came on the day and it was the production of the industrial sized hedge trimmer that solved a lot of the problems we faced.
Community Volunteers did a sterling job all day and the Young People who turned up to litter pick all got stuck in and did a great job.
We made a huge impact on the Monday but more needed doing on the Tuesday and so a smaller number of Volunteers came back and did some more.
On the back of the start we made the Council have said that they will come out to help finish the stretch that we are aiming to bring under control and so next Monday it will be all hands to the pumps to finish off.

I think it is important that we see this as just the start  of the process and we need to look at the River Freshney as a whole river not just the bit that runs through the West Marsh.
This means that people from the West Marsh could join with others in the Borough to look at all the issues and opportunities that the River presents.
The Freshney could be a real amenity for all of the people of North East Lincolnshire if it was properly managed from one end to the other.
Councillor Billard has already been in contact with Councillors from other wards who are willing to look at how we might work together.
I have already said to a number of people that the Heritage Lottery Fund presents a real opportunity here and John Radley has made me aware that the Governments Environmental White Paper is due to come in to force early next year and there will be opportunities to bid into a funding pot as a result.
If people are really keen to make a big impact on their local environment then what, in my opinion, is needed is a wide ranging partnership which will convince potential funders that there is a serious intent to commit to a large and inclusive project.
I am looking forward in the coming weeks to helping put such a partnership together and helping with any resulting bid writing process.
If anyone thinks they can contribute to the process then please let me know.