/h2> Posted 22nd May 2022
May Message
Waking up any morning, you can just about guarantee that the Misbourne will be flowing between Little Missenden and Amersham. More widely, residents of Great Missenden (upstream) and Chalfont St Giles (downstream) express disappointment on the occasions when they have no flow. But flow all the way between Chalfont St Giles and Chalfont Park is definitely cause for celebration. So, the little trickle the last couple of weeks has attracted much delight and positive comment as well as the usual questions.
With expert help, we have previously tried to answer some of the questions - see “The River Misbourne - Some questions answered” on our website. However, it is far from being the complete picture. For instance, why, in 2021, did the springs at the back of the football ground provide significant flow past The Greyhound some weeks before we had flow from the springs by the tennis courts and the gap at Cherry Acre closed later still - almost the complete reverse of this year. (Part answer is that last year what we call the “Lower River” was very strong - i.e. that which always flows from Chalfont Park to the Colne with a “winterbourne” section that can extend as far as Mill Lane (CStG) thus overlapping with the ”Upper River”.)
Yes, but why? The answer to that is NOT HS2, which now seems to have tunnelled safely under Chalfont St Giles at the greater depth selected in the light of doubts, including ours and, particularly the Chiltern Society and "Save St Giles" experts about the integrity of the chalk at the level previously mooted. More, I think, because of the differing rainfall patterns between the two years. See more figures on the website under “Quickview” and then make your prediction for the rest of the year.
Anyway, from the past few weeks, a couple of things remain clear.
1) Consistent flow between the Chalfonts, giving Chalfont St Peter the amenity and habitat enjoyed by St Giles, can only be achieved by lining a good portion of the reach. We need to work hard at generating the support of the public, politicians and authorities to this aim. Can you help?
2) Work to clear the watercourse through “perched” sections is essential to maximise the extent of flow and minimise losses into the ground.
Much appreciation is therefore due to those who, in recent months, have variously worked through the fields near Cherry Acre and further downstream through St Peter. Our WhatsApp group has been functioning well in both enabling ad hoc work groups and sharing observations of flow or unusual wildlife - messages even reaching The Antipodes! If you would like to join, please let me know and your mobile phone number.
Last year, at this time, groundwater levels were amongst the highest of the last 30 years whereas those at this 1st May were distinctly average reflecting several recent dry months. Keeping flow as long as possible will therefore need some work and while rather short notice, hopefully we can have a reasonable turn out for work parties on Sunday 29th May (from 1.30pm); Tuesday 31st May (10.00 am); and Saturday 11th June (10.00 am and possibly 2.00pm if some prefer)………. and, of course, keen WhatsAppers might get together at other times. Differing challenges will include the long neglected section from Mill Lane through to St Giles; St Giles Riverwalk (if not already cleared by the Parish Council’s volunteer force); and the nearest fields to St Peter. Please let me know if you can join us for any or all and make sure I have your shoe size for waders.
Chalfont St Peter Feast Day is 25th June and we will be having a pitch. It would be lovely if the invertebrate monitoring team could have a live, wet display as done before as it is a great crowd-puller and interesting for itself. Is anyone available to stand-in for Mel who has done so much previously and is unavailable? It will also be great to have others of you taking a turn for an hour, just to chat to people and explain what we are about. Thanks for offers to date: more please!
So, with all the above in mind, we will have a “not a meeting” - drink and a natter - at The Greyhound on Wednesday 8th June from 7.15pm. All welcome! - come and ask those questions and share your thoughts.
Finally, as ever this is all rather Chalfont centric! However, our website and interest covers the full length and it was a delight to have a letter recently from friends at Pipers Corner School (closest point to Misbourne is Missenden Abbey) who keep up with the river’s happenings following a talk there some time back. Observations, pictures and comments from them and all reaches are always appreciated.
/h2> Posted 3rd April 2022
April Arrives
Most years, well before now, we’ve managed to emulate Moley from Wind in the Willows and poke our noses outside to begin encouraging spring flows. However, there has been a lot going on with other stuff, actually getting to the river is more difficult than it used to be, and the dreaded Covid has knocked out a chunk of March. Nevertheless, it’s time to send New Year greetings to each other and hope we can enjoy some successes and fun together in the months ahead.
As you may have seen, the springs have only just begun to show near the tennis courts in Chalfont St Peter but they are there. At the top of the valley, there is water in Mobwell Pond though not running out as yet, and flow properly begins at Missenden Abbey. From there, the river is running very well all the way to the “leaky section” just before Chalfont St Peter. Forecasting is always difficult and current data is rather confusing. Groundwater levels are still a little bit higher than average following the unusually high levels that peaked last April/May. However, the recharge rainfall totals to date are, at best, 85% of average and only 60% of either of the last two years. I would suggest that might indicate we will get some flow in all reaches but gaps may appear in early summer; hopefully not through Chalfont St Giles which has now enjoyed two years unbroken flow. (As ever, we are deeply indebted to Dave Anderson for the monthly data upon which the statistics on our website and my ramblings are based).
That “leaky section remains the real problem. Of the many investigations into flows (and flooding) in the Misbourne valley, one of the earliest was by the consultants Halcrow in the 1970’s. The problems of over abstraction affecting the river that it confirmed were substantially addressed by reductions in the 1990’s and subsequent smaller improvements. But the conclusion of the report that the only way to secure regular flow between the Chalfonts was by lining the bed seemingly remains true. Of course, at that time, “lining” meant concrete - an unacceptable idea from cost, environmental, and aesthetic viewpoints. MRA volunteers can, and probably will, continue to maximise flow by keeping the channel as clear as possible, encouraging the water to flow rather than pond and sink into the ground. But it is hard going and, as we found after the pandemic, it doesn't take long for explosions of weeds like water cress, general debris and twigs to change the stream to a bog. So, for now, volunteers and regular work parties still required - see below.
But, what if there was an alternative? Well there is!! .. and it was approved in principle by the Environment Agency when the Chiltern Society made an application for Lottery Funds in 2012. Bentomat or similar is a simple sandwich of textile enclosing a layer of a natural clay material. The technique is to excavate half a metre below the channel then simply unroll and lay the material (no jointing or expertise required) and backfill with the excavated material. The beauty of the idea is that there is no need to make the bed watertight - merely to make it much less permeable. Of course, there would be many challenges to overcome but isn’t it worth exploring? Can you or your organisation help us do some preliminary work on this notion and make something happen?
So, to business. The first organised work party of the year will be this coming Thursday 7th April from 09.30. We hope to be working near where the flow stops somewhere between Cherry Acre and Water Hall but details to be confirmed ………. and depending on numbers.
If you can join us, please let me know as soon as you can and I’ll send final information - probably not till Wednesday evening. For those who can’t make Thursday I can certainly provide tools and kit for a follow up on Saturday.
If you would like to join us for a very informal drink and chat about MRA, the Misbourne generally or just craic, do come long to our “not a meeting” at The Greyhound, Chalfont St Peter from 7.15 pm on Wednesday 13th.
Did you know we now have a WhatsApp Group? If you would like to join just send me your mobile number and you will be welcome. Use it to see if someone else might like to join you for a little river tending exercise in the village, to see pics of what we and the river are doing, updates on work parties and generally keep in touch. It is working well.
/h2> Posted 4th December 2021
December Delights
We are very much looking forward to our 13th MRA Annual Dinner, postponed from 2020, on Wednesday 15th December at The Greyhound. Probably best if you can arrive from 7.00 pm for a drink and chat and we’ll allow 10 minutes for “The AGM” before letting the team begin service at 7.30. Thanks to those who have already booked their space but, if you haven’t and can join us, we would love to see you. If "Annual Dinner” sounds POSH, be assured, we are not! If "MRA Annual Dinner” sounds as if it will all be about paddling in rivers, believe me, it won’t! So if you enjoy a relaxed, fun meal with plenty of lovely people and lots of laughter, it will suit you well.
Talking of an AGM, which as you know is really only happening because we had to grow up and have a Constitution, the only agenda items are likely to be To approve the Constitution and to Confirm the 3 Committee Members for 2021/2022.
November saw several further enthusiastic work-parties confirming our return to active service. Since September we have now prepared stream friendly watercourses from Chalfont St Giles for best part of 2km towards Chalfont St Peter, removing tons of blocking watercress, and again from Mill Meadow in Chalfont St Peter down to the village centre, plus some other bits. Although the flow (and some fish!) tried to follow us for a good way from Chalfont St Giles, we frequently commented to each other in both locations “just add water”.
In the event, little water was to be had in the month. The Chalfonts rainfall was just 15mm - by far the lowest November total of the past 30 years. Consequently, the tiny signs of winter recharge seen in October’s groundwater level figures were reversed and Dave reports an unseasonal drop. GWL’s till above long term average but a lot less so than they were.
Our little WhatsApp group has been working quite well with regard to local work-party arrangements etc. If you would like to join it, please let me know and, of course make sure we have you mobile phone number.
Readers will probably be aware that the group MEP were unsuccessful in their attempt to stop HS2 tunnelling. Nevertheless, they will have ensured even more attention is given to monitoring compliance with the methods approved by The Environment Agency. It appears the leading machine is currently somewhere under The Epilepsy Centre, Chesham Lane, Chalfont St Peter on it way to the close encounter with The Misbourne at Chalfont St Giles.
That’s all for now. I look forward to receiving lots more requests to join us on the 15th and will send menu choices in a few days.
/h2> Posted 4th November 2021
November News
It has been another good month on the work front. Four good work parties rescued the watercourse from beneath about a kilometre of dense watercress downstream of Chalfont St Giles, establishing flow well into the sheep fields Meanwhile, several groups have worked on the reach through Chalfont St Peter and, while still work in progress, much is now ready for the reappearance of the springs. Just today, another group has come forward with a plan to maintain the section at the back of their street. All these preparations should help to optimise flows into 2022.
After thirteen years of taking pride in being a group of “do-ers”, not “talkers”, we had to succumb this year to the demands of our insurers that we have a constitution and a committee. So, Misbourne River Action has come of age and I am grateful to Dave Cooper and Mel Barnet for joining me on the initial Committee. We now need to have an AGM at which you will have the opportunity to elect who you wish and adopt or amend the constitution which will be on the website soon. By definition, all individuals receiving this note are members.
It’s been heartening to have a good number of enquiries about the dinner and we can now confirm it will again be at The Greyhound, on 15th December. Please let me know as soon as possible if you will be joining us for the usual fun, friendly and not overly fluvial evening.
It so happens that our first (ten minute?) AGM will also be that evening - shall we say 7.20? I can’t imagine it will be a very solemn affair (!) and the rest of the evening will be just as good as ever. Nevertheles, we will need people to stand for a committee position and help map the way forward.
If you haven’t already seen it, you may be interested in this link to an article in Bucks Advertiser regarding Misbourne Environment Protection Ltd. “Googling” MEP will take you to a number of other posts. There has certainly been a lack of any apparent evidence of the EA really scrutinising HS2’s methodology and no real consultation with MRA as was originally promised. All along, I have hoped for some betterment to the Misbourne’s leaking reaches from HS2 funds and, if MEP are ultimately unsuccessful in the aim of stopping HS2, it would be wonderful if their raising of the stakes led to lining a substantial stretch with natural materials as approved by EA for the Chiltern Society Lottery bid some years ago.
A few of us enjoyed our first “not-a-meeting” for a long time. We will have another, in The Greyhound, on Thursday 25th November at 7.30 - all who fancy a drink and a chat will be very welcome; just turn up and find us. Chat is definitely not restricted to our river, but it is a good chance to discuss some of its fascinating and frustrating characteristics and meet new members.
November is not a great time of year for work parties. Nevertheless, given the momentum generated recently, it would seem a shame not try and do a bit more, encouraging flow towards Cherry Acre. If you would like to join us, weather permitting, 10.00 to say 12.30 on Saturday 13th, please let me know. Meanwhile, if the ad hoc groups haven't done so, we will have a try at finishing off between the Council Offices and Community Centre on Thursday 25th from 1.00 pm.and, again, please let me know.
Our little WhatsApp Group is growing. Its purpose is to enable anyone to let other volunteers know that they are intending to do some clearing on such and such day and time and hopefully attract others on the Group to join them. Send your mobile number if you wish to be added.
As is often the case, perceptions of recent notable weather events have not been borne out by monthly statistics. October's rainfall, while above average was only a little over half of last year’s exceptional figure and total for the twelve months is virtually the same. Nevertheless, this graph shows groundwater levels are well above average for October so we can expect good flow well into 2022. As always, it and much more can be found on our website.
Posted 5th October 2021
October Optimism
What a great month we just had!
A fantastic day in Chalfont St Giles on Wednesday 15th September and continued on Saturday18th re-discovering the river after our lockdown hiatus, and getting it running again all the way from Pheasant Hill to the end of Silsden Meadow. On the Wednesday, our team was mainly new friends from PerkinElmer - a company based in Seer Green doing their Community Day. Many thanks to them for all their hard work and enthusiasm which enabled us to make so much progress in one day. Thanks also to the Chalfont St Giles Council workers who removed thirty five 1cu.m. bags of arisings we left by the riverside walk.
TCV - The Chiltern Volunteers - “Green Gym” have begun to follow up on the above with some attention to the bankside along the walk
Also in St Giles, we learned that the attractive bridge over the river will soon be renovated
Several new volunteers, including some undertaking ad hoc initiatives of their own, joined in starting to clear the watercourse at St Peter’s, where the last springs by the tennis courts have just dried up for the year
Excellent publicity regarding the risks of HS2 through the group Misbourne Environmental Protection, Bucks County Council, The Chiltern Society and others
Received £500 Community Donation from Waitrose in Gerrards Cross. We’ll use part towards new tools but mainly to the fund for a new public information board(s) describing the Misbourne and its idiosyncrasies
Latest groiundwater levels, thanks as ever to Dave Anderson, are plotted on our website Quickview Figures page. The broad picture being that, going into the recharge period, October levels are well above the average of the past 30 years record but short of being highest ever. Given the work done recently, and with plans for the authorities to clear under Pheasant Hill bridge, it seems certain that flow will continue through St Giles well into next year……. but can we get it to join up with flow at St Peter??
During October, building on the good work lately, we’ll be carrying on from the end of Silsden Meadow into the “sheepfield”, working with the landowner, and, separately, also aiming to complete the stretch from St Peter tennis courts all the way through to Chiltern Hill. We will have work parties on Wednesday 13th and Saturday 16th, mornings and afternoons. If you can join us for any of these - even for an hour or so - please let me know and I’ll be in touch with more details. Please make sure I have your shoe size for waders.
I’m sure that some of our new small ad hoc groups may also be wishing to get out in Chalfont St Peter in the month on days and at times to suit themselves. If you would like to link up with them, please let me know. I will try and keep info posted on our Facebook page. We have also started a WhatsApp group - specifically for people to invite others to join them when the mood and weather takes them. Again, if you would like to be added to that, please let me know.
Several years ago, a few of us used to have fairly regular very informal gatherings known as “Not-A-Meeting”s in a local pub, . While there was never any set agenda and conversation flowed widely, they did provide an opportunity to meet new volunteers and discuss some of the fascinating details of our little river: also to talk about what we might target as a group. We will be trying another at The Greyhound, Chalfont St Peter, on the evening of Wednesday 20th from 7.30pm. No need to book or anything, just turn up and find us.
Finally, although we haven’t done that much this year, it has been suggested that we really must have our annual Christmas Dinner! Before we go too far, let’s establish demand. Please let me know if you like the idea and which of December 1st, 2nd, 6th, 8th, 13th or 15th might suit. I hope you will be able to come.
Posted 5th September 2021
September Stirrings
Many thanks to all those who have been in touch seeking info regarding work-parties, and more so to those who have been out clearing off their own bat. Apologies for my lack of energy in recent months.
For most of the year, we have had good flow along the Misbourne. The strange gap between Chalfont St Giles and Chalfont St Peter that has seemed more pronounced in recent years reappeared within a couple of months of the winter recharge. Maybe, we would have kept continuity longer if we had worked diligently downstream of St Giles. Usual details of dips - thanks as ever to Dave Anderson - flows and rainfall, will be on the website in a day or so
Flow still continues strongly from the leat across the ford in Mill Lane, St Giles, and arrives under the Pheasant Hill bridge. I find the state of the river through St Giles thoroughly depressing - even the pretty bridge has been “awaiting repair” for possibly more than a year. In a letter sometime back, I announced St Giles Parish Council’s joint plans with The Conservation Volunteers for a “green gym” to clear the jungle but have seen no action. However, we have seen before that a well attended, enthusiastic team effort can make a big difference very quickly.
This, then, is a brief “call to arms” for work parties on Wednesday 15th September from 2.00 pm and Saturday 18th September. On the Saturday, I’m sure that some will prefer the morning, (which I can’t attend) so we need one or more time-served volunteers to undertake to collect tools from me beforehand and lead a small team from, say 10.00 to 12.00. Afternoon activities would again start from 2.00, when I can help.
Key areas to target are St Giles, as above, meeting at the duckpond; St Peter’s by the tennis courts where it may stil be possible to encourage flow back to the Scout Hut and, as ever, the stretch currently dry but badly over grown by The Greyhound. Should there be a surfeit of volunteers (!!!!!), then work downsteram of Mill Lane is also likely to be very satisfying.
Please let me know if you can join any of:
Wednesday 15th 2.00 pm
Saturday 18th 10.00 am
Saturday 18th 2.00 pm
Or, if you would just like some tools to go off-piste another time,
and your shoe size for waders and which location you would prefer, if possible.
Also, could you marshal and co-ordinate a team on 18th morning?
Finally, do any of you have any contact details for landowners/landusers between St Giles and St Peter as there have been various changes recently?
And, finally (2), it would be hugely helpful if some of you were happy to take a big (1 cu m) bag or two of green waste to the tip ……… or even run a shuttle service while teams are working. (The tip will no longer accept the trailer we used to use).
Posted 11th March 2021
March Meanderings
The October rainfall in 2020 was the highest in the past 30 years. While November and December rainfall was unremarkable, the addition of over 100mm in January led to a 4month total to end January of 399mm - just a few mm short of the exceptional figures of 2001 and 2003, and actually more than 2014 - the last really wet period we “enjoyed”. Those October rains set the scene for the rest of this aquifer recharge season and, on 1st February, many of the observation boreholes, (not those at the upper end of the valley) were at, or close to, their highest in the past 30 years. So, not in the least surprising that we have seen flow from Mobwell Pond all the way to Chalfont Park for the first time since July last year, beautiful views in Missenden Abbey grounds and prodigious amounts of groundwater flooding in the lower valley. Also not surprising that there has been no shortage of comment in the news and on social media in the last couple of months regarding the weather and conditions along the Misbourne, especially in Chalfont St Peter.
Of course, those who complain of local short-term road flooding due to blocked gullies certainly have a point and there is plenty of evidence of choked grilles. So do those who complain that the drains need more regular maintenance - a recent Thames Water’s statement at the beginning of the troubles mentioned removal of blockages, including fatbergs. Debate may continue as to whether the main drains are of sufficient size to accommodate the housing that has been added over the years or whether the problem is illegal connections of surface water drainage from roofs and paved areas into the foul drainage system. However, it is surely relevant that this same main drainage system down the valley was installed in 1954 when the Amersham sewage works, which used to discharge its treated effluent into the river - not pipe it down the valley - was decommissioned. The Thames Water tweet attached at the end of this letter is possibly the most honest comment on this arterial drain I have ever seen
The first picture below shows groundwater in the woods beside the river downstream of Chalfont St Giles. Water is pouring into the manhole (as it was when i drew attention to a similar photo in 2013). The pipeline is well below groundwater level for several miles so any leakage into manholes or failed pipe connections will be inward.
The second picture shows dilute sewage flooding in the centre of Chalfont St Peter. It can be seen bubbling up from a manhole (just under the tree) on the same main pipeline because it is surcharged - it just cannot cope with the flow. Also, just upstream - (3rd photo) - flow is being diverted from another surcharged manhole into the river! Not the whole story I’m sure but one of the many that has nothing to do with “The river bursting its banks”. (The River Chess has a similar story of sewage overspill and discharge into the river.)
Locally, it seems that there is less of an automatic call of “The river has burst its banks” every time there is a puddle than there used to be, so maybe people are more aware of things than a few years ago. The phrase “bursting its banks” only makes any sense in the context of a chalk-stream where flow has been artificially raised above the groundwater level, for instance by the construction of mill leats. It is therefore unusual to see water pouring out of the watercourse. We saw it once in Chalfont St Peter in 2001 when the bank by the Scout Hut was not quite high enough to prevent flow breaking over and joining the already groundwater flooded Scout Hut - yes, that is an artificially raised channel, possibly a remnant of the old mill? This year, similar occurred in the leat to Quarrendon Mill as it did, at a different spot, in 2014 in its quest to return to an original stream line.
The recent work to divert the river out of the Quarrendon Mill leat for a few hundred yards just downstream of the Amersham by-pass has provided lots of interest and correspondence The resulting shallow lake has attracted walkers and waterfowl. For various reasons, it seems that the notional vision of returning the river to its natural course was not/could not be achieved. Simply, it seems as an observer, that the new line would have had to be too far to the west and the bed too low for flow to return to the leat at the designated point.) Hence, a bund was needed to contain high flows. This new “bank" was “burst” in the recent high flows as the river attempted to really finish the job and revert to its course away from the mill! We understand, the bund is to be raised slightly and some other re-profiling carried out. This “problem” - if indeed it is one - is certainly not the one we were concerned about from this project! We wait and see.
Looking ahead, we note that this February’s rainfall was comparatively modest and March is normally uneventful so, unlike 2014, when February and April’s was exceptionally high, we are unlikely to see a repeat of an extended period of flooding this year but can hope for sustained flow from Great Missenden all the way through the Chalfonts into the summer and maybe beyond.
Some might argue for work parties again after the Coronavirus Roadmap Step 1(a) - anticipated 29th March, but probably after Step 2 - anticipated 12th April is more realistic. As i’ve said before, I’m not getting any younger (and my random bouts of dizziness don’t fit well with bobbing up and down clearing weed) so we really do need to find someone willing to take up the organising of our work parties and storage of the equipment ……… plus, maybe someone else willing to take on washing gloves and Hi-vis etc. Perhaps, after 13 years, we need a committee? - volunteers and suggestions please.
I have just completed updating the website with the data up to February 1st. We now have records for a worthwhile period on show and the evidence of the cyclical nature of our complex river is clear to see - e.g.in the pages at Quickview.
Hopefully, the government’s roadmap will hold fast and so, quite soon, we will again be able to eee each other again by or in the river.
Copy of a message received from Thames Water pasted on Facebook:
Posted 9th December 2020
December Update
At this time in the past twelve years we would have been finalising plans for Misbourne River Action’s annual Christmas dinner, but that is another casualty of 2020. So too was the majority of our work programme with only two (very productive) work parties completed. However, there is lots of river news - some of it good…………….but not all!
Most of you will have seen the disastrous effects of the early HS2 activities up the valley with construction of the depot and tunnel portal at Denham, preparation for vent shafts at Chalfont St Peter, Chalfont St Giles, Amersham and more at Little & Gt Missenden. Our hearts go out particularly to the residents of Bottom House Farm Lane whose plight you may have read about in the national press and seen on TV. in 2016, these same residents bravely presented the case to the House of Lords Select Committee for an alternative access to the Chalfont St Giles Vent Shaft over to a relatively easy access point on the A355. This would have avoided all the damage to a very special length of the valley, their and other resident’s environment, disruption of the local rural businesses, delays on the busy A413, and avoided the need for work in the river (see photo) but this was contemptuously dismissed. In the event, the initial HS2 proposal for the lane didn't work and the amended version is far worse than envisaged at the time.
HS2 “temporary bridge” construction - Bottom House Farm Lane.
That contemptuous dismissal echoes the treatment given to our own presentation to the Committee alongside the group SaveStGiles which expressed the concern, supported by the most eminent chalk aquifer experts, that tunnelling at a relatively shallow depth under the river at Chalfont St Giles and elsewhere poses a risk of damage to the river and potential loss of flow. One of our slides happened to show the willow tree beside the pond in Chalfont St Giles and I will always remember one of the Lords Committee observing that “everyone knows how much water willow trees need and if you were to cut down the trees along the river, you might not have these problems”. I kid you not! Our proposal was that the EA would require HS2 to line the river, in an environmentally approved manner, for 500m or so over the tunnel at the crossing point. I believe it is not too late for this fairly minor risk mitigation to be incorporated into the planning for the tunnelling operation and will be campaigning for it to be reconsidered and hope for support from as many influential parties as possible.
Another project, to provide a parallel pipeline to the existing from Chalfont St Giles pumping station to the Amersham treatment works as an insurance against problems with the existing one due to HS2 tunnelling, has been completed. Meanwhile a project to provide turbidity removal at Amersham Treatment Works is underway - again against the risk that the tunnelling operations will cause turbidity from the disturbance of the chalk within the aquifer.
So, enough about HS2. There has been yet another project going on in the Amersham area and that is the diversion of the river away from an old but artificial “leat”, or channel, back towards its natural course for a few hundred metres downstream of Amersham By-pass. For various reasons, it was not possible to develop a route for the whole of the reach to Quarrendon Mill so the new diversion loops back into the leat again. Readers may recall that we have in the past been very sceptical about the value of this project and concerned that the new loose bedded channel may well provide a path for greater leakage than the “sealed” bed of the leat. I think the jury is still out on that one though, clearly, with ground water levels as high as they are at present (i.e. unusually high) the reverse could be the case and this be a gaining reach - studies continue. Meanwhile, the current rapid flow over a gravelly bottom at the top of the project and the potential for biodiverstity in the slower, inundated areas towards the bottom have some attraction and it is to be hoped that the opportunity for the creation of an attractive, natural, amenity area will be taken.
New River Diversion downstream of Amersham By-pass
Perhaps partly because of our absence, the Riverside Walk in Chalfont St Giles is in a very sorry state. But good news! The Parish Council are teaming up with TCV (The Conservation Volunteers) to have a “green gym” volunteer programme, initially to concentrate on this stretch. MRA are already members of the TCV organisation and the plan is that we and they and other recruits will commence work on a date to be announced towards the end of January. Assuming all goes well, particularly with regard to amassing a pool of volunteers, other areas may follow. More details to follow after Christmas.
It will be great to be able to benefit from TCV’s young and professional leadership. After 13 years since we launched MRA, we founder members probably have to admit that it is just a little bit more difficult to set up our work parties, clear up afterwards, dispose of the rubbish, and wash all the kit than we found it at the beginning. It would be really good if someone slightly more vigorous than I am these days could, at least, take on the storage of our equipment and its deployment on work days. I daresay we can carry on washing HiVis, gloves etc and the “admin”. It’s also been great to receive a steady flow of new contacts and to hear of some who have been actively improving the river environment - even simple litter picking - withIn their own “bubbles”.
“It's been a strange year” has become a catch phrase. And so it has for flow in the river. Not surprisingly, groundwater levels have been, and are, above average for the time of year. There was good flow through Chalfont St Peter for several months but all fed by the local springs: flow coming down from Chalfont St Giles only joined up with the top of this “lower winterbourne” for a few days and the end of flow from the upper section rapidly retreated back to Chalfont St Giles where it has stayed. Its progress back down the valley towards St Peter, in the last month has been noticeably slow. Comparison of 2020’s groundwater levels and rainfalls with previous years would have suggested continuous flow for most, if not all, of the year. Very strange, though possibly some indication that the absence of our work parties has had an effect. Note how flow did not continue after the spring at Cherry Acre - unlike apparently similar GWL situations in 2001,2 3; 2010,11; and 2013/4,5,6,7.
Why didn’t flow continue after the peak this year? (or in 1994?)
Flow in the upper reaches beyond Amersham has been much as one might expect from the past year’s rainfall record and groundwater levels. Mobwell Pond has water but not yet enough to spill over into flow down to Great Missenden. Springs downstream of Missenden Abbey are active again and there has been a good stream at Little Missenden. Much more detail available on our website where I keep trying to keep the data up to date.
In other news, “chalk-streams” and the plight thereof have been getting a lot of publicity and attention in both Parliament and in events such as particularly The Chiltern Society Chalk Stream Summit - click on the link here for more info and the video.
Well that’s a long and varied update. All that remains is to wish you and yours Peace and as much Joy as possible this Christmas time, and to look forward to your continued support in 2021 which will hopefully be brighter for everyone.
Posted 02 May 2020
May Metrics
As on 1st April, we can't bring you any commentary on groundwater readings for 1st May. In the fullness of time, Affinity Water’s team will be out and about interrogating the automatic data-loggers and we should be able to extract the figures that Dave Anderson usually reliably collects for us on the day.
However, we do know that the Misbourne has continued to flow in full glory from top at Mobwell Pond all the way to join the Colne at Denham. And how good it has looked in the wonderful sunshine during lockdown. Many people have remarked how they have enjoyed its views while on their walks for exercise. Social distancing has sometimes been a little difficult to maintain on the paths between the Chalfonts!
Typically, groundwater levels in the chalk of the Chilterns can start to rise in late September to October and recharge continues until around mid-February to March. Rainfall during the next six months is largely taken up by evaporation and plants and does not make it through the soils to the chalk below. The graph below shows, year by year since 1992, total rainfall in the “recharge period” in blue, and total rainfall in the summer period in green. As can be seen, until this year there hadn’t been a strong recharge season for a good while - hence, as shown by the "extent of flow” picture, the river has struggled to make much of a showing during recent years. In terms of rainfall, this winter’s recharge has been well above average and it will be interesting to map that against groundwater levels when available and, particularly, to see how long flow will now keep going.
As always, I am encouraged by the rate of recovery of flow down the valley from Amersham after a dry spell being apparently more and more rapid since we first cleared the way 2008 to 2011 and again in 2012 to 2013 and again more recently - see the gradient of the recovery periods on the extent of flow picture below, especially the last few months.
In response to lots of questions, and several inaccurate comments seen on social media, we have just added a new page to our website called “The RIver Misbourne - Some Questions Answered” which attempts to explain some of the vagaries of our delightful but enigmatic stream. The link is here but, be warned, it is a large file. Alternatively, find it on the website at http://www.misbourneriveraction.org/node/51 where you can click onto the same pdf file. It has been reviewed by both a qualified specialist geologist and a hydrogeologist but, if you see any errors or have any questions, please be in touch - perhaps by our Facebook Page - Misbourne River Action - or direct.
Of course, we can't be organising any work parties at the moment. Fortunately we had made substantial progress just before lockdown and the speed of the flow has forced a clear path so things aren't too bad at present. As soon as the “All Clear” comes, we will be able to organise for some action to clear local restrictions.
Meanwhile, best wishes to all, however this dreadful pandemic is affecting you.
We hope to see you by, or in, the river very soon.
Posted 16 February 2020
February Fill-Dyke
"Enough is enough!”, you may cry as yet more precipitation precipitates, but please don’t blame the messenger.
It will be little surprise that groundwater levels have risen well along the valley and in the Chilterns during the last two months. Indeed, a glance at the rainfall record in our Quickview pix shows that both the three months and six months to end January were some 40% above the three and six month averages - no great surprise there. But, worth noting is that the 12 month total was still no more than the average for a year. This appears to be reflected in the other graphs showing levels are good but by no means exceptional, though maybe end February will show a further leap.
Meanwhile, there is water in Mobwell Pond (by the Blackhorse pub) at Great Missenden for the first time in 4 years and the “upper Misbourne” is flowing through Great Missenden. Recovery from Amersham down was quite rapid during December - aided by our work party and the beginning of the latest EA/Affinity water "restoration project”. Flow then “hung up for several weeks around the Thames Water balancing tanks beside the recycling centre. The late John Norris and previous Chiltern Society RWG chair Roger Lerry were firmly of the opinion that this was a seriously leaking reach of the river due to the disturbance caused by the construction of the deep tanks when the Amersham Sewage Works were removed in 1954. Previously the treated effluent was returned to the river but subsequently the raw sewage has been piped down the valley to Maple Cross - one of the reasons why Misbourne flow is not as remembered by some of our senior citizens.
Anyway, it is to be hoped that a future project will sort this area out with some environmentally sensitive, ecologically friendly, cost effective lining as the porous chalk is almost at the surface where the river turns the corner below the tip back into its original bed through the fields below The Ivy House. That would greatly help the river on its way to the Chalfonts as it is almost always “perched” from Amersham downstream.
Meanwhile, we will do what we can to encourage flow through this area by clearing as much of the last three year’s debris as we can at our next work parties which will be on Saturday 7th March from 09.30am to about 12.30pm and on Wednesday 11th March from 10.00am. Please let me know if you can join us and I will send out “orders of the day” near the time - note that I need to know your shoe size so we have the right waders available.
P.S. Posted 3rd March 2020
Further to my note a couple of weeks ago, the river has continued rapidly recovering from the dry spell since it last flowed through the lower part of the valley in mid 2017.
In fact, I understand from various reports that there is now continuous flow form Mobwell Pond, N of Great Missenden, all the way to Chalfont St Giles village. Excitingly, the “lower river” is also making its way back up the valley with flow through Gerrards Cross Golf Club and lots of springs and some flow N of Chalfont St Peter. So, it seems that it won’t be long before we have continuous flow from top to bottom again.
Without doubt, there has been a lot of rain! However, the rate at which flow has reappeared along the valley is unprecedented in our records and may, perhaps, as suggested before, have something to do with our efforts to maintain the channel. Which brings me back to our work parties this Saturday and next Wednesday where we could still accommodate a few more volunteers. The extent of the newly wetted stretches means that we have literally miles of watercourse awaiting removal of the accumulated debris that has formed lots of mini-dams obstructing the nascent flow.
So, if you can join us, and haven’t already done so, please let me know and don’t forget to include your shoe size (so I can arrange waders). As usual, I’ll aim to send out details of suggested work locations just before the day but they will certainly include central St Giles, parts of St Peter and downstream of Mill Lane St Giles as a minimum.
Posted 04 December 2019
December Delights
First off, you will be delighted to have confirmation of what you will all have expected - the great comeback has begun! Dave’s dippings for the beginning of December show a healthy rise in groundwater levels and there is now flow right through Amersham and past the bridge on the by-pass (A413). This is great news at this stage of the winter recharge season and we can hope of good things by next spring. Nevertheless, while rising, groundwater levels are still typically a couple of metres below average. This year’s interruption of flow at Amersham Church was a little shorter than in 2017 and was the fifth in our records - others being 1992 (several months?), 1996 - 1998 (20 months), 2006 (4 months), 2017 (2 months). Do see the various graphs etc. on our website for more detail.
So, good news brought our first work party for a good long while. We tackled the stretch from Amersham Church to just past Tesco, clearing 4 trees and much debris on our way. Some say they saw some returning small fish. Today, other hardy souls have cleared more fallen wood and established flow past the by-pass bridge. Thanks to those who have already signed up for this Saturday’s work party. There is still plenty of time to let me know if you can join us (10.00 - 12.30) I will send out “orders of the day” on Friday.
We were surprised to find that the flow past Tesco did not continue on to the bridge under Station Road but disappeared down a culvert under the carpark. Apparently this culvert is the line of the mill leat for the old cotton mill at Bury End. The actual river bed may be silted under Station Road or the wier to the leat may need attention: either way Chilterns Conservation Board and EA will look into it. This explains why the clear flow reappears and joins the line of the river course just to the east of the recently closed Jaguar garage.
The Chiltern Society Rivers and Wetlands Group AGM was packed full of enthusiasm. Thanks in no small measure to Doug Kennedy, immediate past Chairman, the plight of the Chilterns Chalk Streams has reached many new and hopefully influential ears at the top of the various supply and regulatory organisations. The meeting discussed some of the huge challenges facing our water supplies such as housing developments, the inadequacy of our building regulations to encourage water saving, climate change and, not least, the appallingly high water consumption per capita in our area. Doug will now be devoting his time to the Chalk Rivers Action Group (CRAG) - an alliance of all similar bodies in the UK. The new Chilterns Group Chairman is Dan Turner.
Now then, we still have room for more of you at our 12th Annual Dinner at The Greyhound on next Wednesday 11th. If "Annual Dinner” sounds POSH, be assured, we are not! If "MRA Annual Dinner” sounds as if it will all be about paddling in rivers, believe me, it won’t! So if you enjoy a relaxed meal with plenty of lovely people and lots of laughter and would like to join us, I will be delighted to hear from you ASAP and by Saturday evening latest.
Thats all from me in 2019 so its time to send thanks for all your support and very best wishes for your Christmas and New Year,
/h2> Posted 18 November 2019
November Nuggets
A most unexpected email this week advised that we have been awarded £200! If I understand it correctly, the money comes from funds raised in store by TK MAX and Homesense, through an initiative called “Neighbourly", for TCV (The Conservation Volunteers) who have allocated funds to your good selves. So, ladies, we should have more waders to suit you, secateurs for all, more gloves and some better loppers for the New Year.
Of course, we assume that in the New Year, we shall once more have some river to be looked after. I see there is now definite flow past the church at Amersham and the embryonic trickle extends to the back of Tesco. With all the rain of the last few weeks, many find it hard to believe that we are still talking about shortages, no flow and low groundwater levels. However, the graphs on our website speak for themselves. Even now, the total rainfall in the Chalfonts over the last three years is short by six months worth of the average rainfall of the preceding 10 years.
Readers are probably well aware that the plight of our chalk streams has been much in the news and media recently. In particular, concerns have been raised about the volume of water that construction of HS2 will demand and I understand Affinity Water have made it clear that this cannot be provided from groundwater sources. Will they bring it in tankers from the North? - the whole thing gets even more ridiculous. Dame Cheryl Gillan spoke of these matters in The Commons on 31 October and received some assurance that chalk streams would be considered in the planned Environment Bill.
As there was little to do, we cancelled the planned work parties in October although a useful number of volunteers had signed up. Now we have something to go at, the work party on Wednesday 27 November is confirmed and will start 09.30. We shall be working from Amersham church towards Tesco - new territory for us. As the 30th November is the AGM of the Chiltern Society Rivers and Wetlands Group, the work party for that day will be postponed until Saturday 7th December - again at 09.30. Please let me know if you will be joining us for these, which, hopefully, will mark the beginning of the next cycle for our river.
Meanwhile, don’t forget to also let me know that you can come to our fun, frivolous, friendly and not particularly fluvial 12th annual dinner on Wednesday 11th December at The Greyhound. (Yes, with regrets to those who preferred a different date, this was the most popular for the early bookers). N.B. This event is for all our supporters, and partners, not just those who have been physically active in the river. Do please come along and enjoy a great evening - RSVP.
That’s all for now. Hope to see you in or by the river soon or, indeed, at The Greyhound for our dinner!
/h2> Posted 07 October 2019
NOctober Observations
Hopefully, no regular readers of these notes expected to see a river flowing through the valley below Amersham following the recent showers. However, it is perhaps a little disappointing that the groundwater measurements taken last Wednesday showed a further average drop of over 0.3m during September. Also, there is still a dry bed past the Jaguar garage in Amersham. The fact that the largest September rainfall since 2008 had so far failed to make an impact shows how dry was the ground after some three years below average 12 month totals - formally described by the Environment Agency as a drought. Still, maybe it will have prepared the way for the winter recharge to come.
On the other hand, the various graphs on our website show the levels are not unique. Significantly lower levels at end of September were observed in 1992, 1997, 2006 and similar in 2017.
PastedGraphic-2.tiff
Though not a fashionable thought at present, I do just wonder whether the very bad but possibly "less bad” situation now, compared with the 1990’s, might reflect the welcome reductions in abstraction that have been secured in recent years……………but do we also infer that the apparently increasing frequency of “bad” readings reflects global warming?? Whatever the answers, the papers from Ofwat, the Environment Agency, Thames Water and Affinity Water presented at the recent Chiltern Society Forum on Chalk streams all indicate a renewed determination to make further reductions in abstraction and to nurse our chalk streams back to health.
It is also encouraging to see political momentum slowly building towards the inevitable construction of major infrastructure in the form of reservoir storage and/or transfer of water from other parts of the country into the high demand, low rainfall South~East. Other long-term strategies must include new sustainability requirements within building regulations.
Meanwhile, we can probably expect some flow downstream of Amersham to re-appear in the next month or two. After all this time, there will be plenty to do to encourage it on its way so we should dust off our kit and set about a work party or two before Christmas. Please let me know if you can join us for any or all of:
09.30 - 12.30 on Saturday 26th October
13.30 - 16.00 on Wednesday 30th October
10.00 - 12.30 on Wednesday 27th November
09.30 - 12.30 on Saturday 30th November
and, as usual, I’ll send details to those I hear from. Please let me know your wader size, if I don't have it already.
Perhaps more enticing for some will be the thought of our twelfth annual dinner. First off, let’s see how many can make Wednesday 11th December from 7.30pm. If you would have liked to come but can't do the Wednesday, let me know if the Monday or Thursday that week would work, and we’ll go with a majority. RSVP ASAP11
/h2> Posted 14 June 2019
Spring Notes
If you didn’t see Countryfile on BBC this week, I really recommend that you try and find it on “catch-up” and enjoy a very interesting and somewhat encouraging programme all about chalk streams.
While concentrating on water quality and pollution issues, the programme does mention lack of rainfall. You may have received notice from your water company regarding the serious state of our water reserves following three poor winters. The routine monthly reports from the Environment Agency also paint a picture of below average rainfall, poor river flows and low groudwater levels. Regular readers will know that the current rains should not be expected to change the underlying situation as recorded in the graphs etc of our website - http://www.misbourneriveraction.org/node/18 However, what those graphs and records also show is that, as far as Misbourne flow is concerned, we have periods of flow and no-flow in any period of 5 to 7 years so we can hope for full flow back down the valley in the next year or two.
It was quite exciting to finish our work party in April with flow (a trickle) as far as the edge of Blizzards Yard Car Park behind the Co-op in Chalfont St Giles - continuing the recovery from the drought of 2017 when the river was dry back to Amersham Church
There isn’t much fun or satisfaction in working on a dry ditch with no hope of a stream in the short term, so we are not planning any more similar work parties before the autumn.
Nevertheless, there are opportunities for your enthusiasm. Himalayan Balsam is a non-native invasive plant found typically along riverbanks where it smothers natural species. It is the largest annual plant in Britain, growing up to 2.5m high from seed in a single season and spreads quickly as it can project its seeds up to four metres……….and it is present in the Misbourne valley. There will be a volunteer “Balsam Bash” day in the Little Missenden area on 22nd June and if you are able to lend a hand, please contact Ceri Groves of Chilterns Conservation Board - cgroves@chilternsaonb.org or 01844 355502.
Best wishes
Bob
Posted 28 March 2019
Spring Notes
Many thanks for various enquiries about my health and the Misbourne - typically along the lines of “Spring is sprung, the grass is riz, I wonder where the Misbourne/Bob is”.
There was nothing of concern causing the gap since the last note but I try not to fill your inboxes when there is nothing to say. Now there are a few bits of news to pass on.
First, as you may recall, flow in 2018 was actually quite a bit better than 2017 when the bed was dry all the way up to Amersham Church by November. In 2018, we had water as far as Misbourne Farm (The Gorilla yard on the Amersham Road) from May but it continued to disappear for the rest of the year without reaching Mill Lane. To be more precise, for some months until just a couple of weeks ago, the lively little stream vanished into the ground nearly opposite the pumping station less than 100 metres from the ford. Regular volunteers will know we have often wondered about a link between the “wash-out” pipe, the proximity of the pumping station and the extreme bed leakage in this area. With just the fairly gentle winter recharge this year, “Mizzy” has at last managed to get past this hazard. It is already some 300 metres downstream of Mill Lane and making progress. Clearly, a small project to line just a hundred yards of the mill leat would appear likely to provide a quick win and increase the frequency of flow over the next kilometre into CStGiles. This might comprise either restoring the original “puddle clay” that may have been used, or as a trial for a modern, environmentally friendly solution using a Rawmat bentonite sandwich or similar deeply buried below the bed,
One project gathering momentum at present and likely to be included in the Water Management Plan for 2020 to 2025 is for improvements upstream of and around Quarrendon Mill. These improvements would certainly incorporate general work to naturalise the river between the Amersham by-pass and Quarrendon Mill - reducing tree cover, introducing meanders etc. They may probably also include diverting the upper quartile of this reach back into its original course through the water meadow, and possibly also a fish-pass of the sluice at the mill.
As we head towards the time of leafy trees and frequent lawn mowing, it is clear that, while better than 2017/18, the last winter's recharge has still been weak. Many of us have received circulars drawing attention to the number of months with “below average rainfall” in the last year: any improvement in the flow appears due to its timing and characteristics rather than significant increase in quantity. Possibly, for this important reason, the upper winterbourne reaches upstream of Deep Mill Pond remain dry. Notably, there is no sign of springs in the grounds of Missenden Abbey. Consequently, while taking some comfort from the current situation below Amersham, we should probably expect another retreat before too long.
Nevertheless, we will be doing our best to encourage what we have and will have working parties on Saturday 13th April from 09.30 to 12.30 and on Weds 17th April from 10.00. Please let me know if you can join us for either or both and I will send “joining arrangements” nearer the time. The mill leat was in quite good condition last autumn but we’ll just check before moving on into the field upstream of CStGiles car park.
I hear that a resident of Great Missenden has done a lot of work to map the infestation of Himalayan Balsam that has established itself there and to galvanise support of landowners to allow its control. The Chiltern Conservation Board is going to be organising a programme of volunteer ‘Balsam Bash’ days to start removing it. These are likely to run over the summer, maybe at least one work party each month between May & October. Thames Water have offered a group of their staff members on 14th May, to help kick things off. If you would like to help with this work on 14th May, or to join on subsequent days, please let me know and I will pass your name forward when I know who the coordinator is to be.
We haven’t had a “not-a-meeting” for quite a while. (For the benefit of new supporters, we don’t have meetings, officers or other embellishments but occasionally a few of us get together in a pub for a chat - not necessarily about the Misbourne but generally so. These “not-a-meetings” provide an informal opportunity to discuss priorities for our activities and, importantly, to meet new members and share some of the issues affecting our river.) So, everyone welcome to join us in The Greyhound at Chalfont St Peter - probably the back area beside the dining area - on Thursday 11th April from 7.30 pm. There is no need to let us know you will be coming but it will be nice if someone shows up!
Finally, you may like to scan through Affinity Water’s draft revised Water Resources Management Plan at https://stakeholder.affinitywater.co.uk/have-your-say.aspx and make your comments. (Consultation closes 26th April).
Hoping to see you by or in the river soon
Best wishes
Bob
Bob Older
Tel: 01753 885131
Mob: 0781 651 4868
e-mail: bob.older@me.com
http://www.misbourneriveraction.org/
October 2018
October Optimism
Understandably, some of you have taken me to task for my earlier prediction that we would see flow back to Chalfont St Giles by May. Well, with tongue in cheek I claim my forecast was correct all along as, throughout the summer, there has been flow as far as, and a bit beyond, Misbourne Farm - well inside St Giles Parish! Notably, those who could not believe that “all that rain” didn't bring substantial flow in April, are equally surprised to learn that the river has done reasonably well this year compared with the dry bed up to Amersham Church last year. During our September work party, we brought flow back to within 400m of Mill Lane. Meanwhile, groundwater levels are well up on 2017 and pretty well average for the time of year.
So, that’s a good start. With a reasonable recharge over the next 6 months, full recovery could be with us. As we watch for that, all eyes are on the graphs to see if a benefit from Affinity Water’s welcome reduction in abstraction at Amersham from last April can be detected. Indeed, could it be that we already see it in the sustained situation at Misbourne Farm? (Before 1997, the abstraction limit at Amersham was 18 Ml/d; it was then reduced to around 13 with Affinity typically using a maximum of 12. From April this year the limit has been 9 - frequently needed during the demanding hot months - and, while the limit remains 9, the declared operating target on average in non-critical times going forward is 4. That is a reduction of over 75% in 20 years compared with the seemingly unstoppable rise that was eventually successfully opposed successfully by the late Vic Wotton of the Chiltern Society and others).
Behind the scenes, discussions continue as to how we might be involved in assisting develop projects for the future to give the biggest environmental value. We were privileged to be invited to attend a Misbourne update workshop by Affinity and the EA and delighted to have MRA representation from the Missenden, Amersham and Chalfonts sections.
Now to the serious bit - next work parties are:
Wednesday 17th October from 10.00 to 12.30
Saturday 20th October from 09.30 to 12.30. (Happy to provide tasks, tools and clear-up for anyone who wants to work the afternoon but I’ll probably not be with them)
Please let me know if you will be joining us - (include your wader size please if you think I might not have it) - and I will send details just before the day.
And, even more seriously, have you put our annual dinner into your diary? It is Thursday 13th December when we will be celebrating completing our first ten years and look forward to a suitably bumper turn-out and much fun. If you can, please let me know soon.
21 July 2018
Summer Synopsis
Thanks for all your recent emails regarding the state of the river, the weather and the absence of work parties.
As always, the Misbourne presents a rather contrarian image. This photo last weekend by the Jaguar garage in Amersham where there are a couple of hatches of fry compares very well with the dry bed all through Amersham last autumn.
Following the strong aquifer recharge over the winter, flow reached down the valley as far as Misbourne Farm in April (where the Gorilla sign is on the A413 half a mile N of Chalfont St Giles). And, while never progressing much further towards Chalfont St Giles village, there is surprisingly still a trickle into the leat. This graph shows how the groundwater levels at the farm are still at least average and the resumption of flow after it dried in July last year. Assuming we do get some more rain in 2018, it seems we are well set for return of flow next year.
To all those - generally not MRA readers - who ask if the lack of flow in the Chalfonts is because “They” are abstracting too much water, my reply is fairly robust. First) It isn’t really “They” who abstract water from the aquifer, “We” do - for our showers, our washing machines, our paddling pools and our gardens etc - our area has the highest per capita consumption in Europe. Second), as far as we have seen the data, it appears that abstraction continues at normal rates - significantly less than before the Alleviation of Low Flow Scheme licence reductions in 1998. And Third), Affinity Water have completed the work to enable an actual permanent reduction in abstraction from the Amersham source. This is a very welcome part of their Asset Management Plan for the period 2015 - 2020 and further reductions in abstractions from the Chilterns can be expected in the next AMP: 2020 - 2025.
What else could be done? Some of you may be aware that when the sewage works at High Wycombe was closed and sewage piped to Little Marlow for treatment, a compensation stream was introduced into the river Wye to maintain its flow as the final effluent from the works now runs directly into the Thames. Well, back in 1954, the Amersham sewage works treating the upstream catchment was closed and sewage has been piped to Maple Lodge and thence to the River Colne ever since, depriving the Misbourne of that final effluent flow. The environmental lobby in 1954 didn’t exist and I doubt the idea of a compensation scheme was ever mooted. But, in 2018, what about it? As abstraction for supply is reduced by other measures, why not use the saving as recharge for the river? Could we get behind this idea and push for it to be included within AMP6 provisions?
Another idea that has long been promoted by the Chiltern Society is, of course, lining of the mill leat between Misbourne Farm and Mill Lane - i.e where flow disappears at present. The likely benefit of this scheme was clearly demonstrated in studies by the late John Norris.
What I personally believe would not be a good idea - indeed a complete waste of money would be work to redirect the river into its “original course”. You may well ask what is the “original course” - that of 100 years ago?, a 1,000 years ago?, pre Ice-Age? - I don’t know. Taking it to mean a route that avoids particularly Quarrendon Mill, my arguments against include our heritage and the disruption to the established farm fields and drainage - involving inevitable legal and consultants’ fees and compensation. But, most significantly, at most times of the year the river relies upon the developed bed to flow over the complex strata as a “perched” stream. Diverting it over open farmland will surely mean it just disappears as soon as it starts; also that we will have a problem with the “wrong” vegetation in the watercourse. Sadly, substantial sums of money have already been spent by the authorities on surveys for this scheme. I hope we can make our case for projects with a clear benefit instead.
We had a very productive work party in May opening up the flow for the mile and a bit from above Quarrendon Mill to the back of Arklow Kennels. Since then we have deliberately held back as there is little pleasure in weeding a dry riverbed. However, it is probably time to see what is going on in the leat below Misbourne Farm and prepare through to Mill Lane and beyond ready for the rains that can’t be far away. Now the growing season is nearly over, this is an ideal opportunity to make a difference.
So I am proposing we set forth again with work parties on Wednesday August 15th at 10.00 and on Saturday 18th at 09.30 and 2.00 p.m. Please let me know if you can join us.
That’s all folks.
Best wishes
Bob
Bob Older
Tel: 01753 885131
Mob: 0781 651 4868
e-mail: bob.older@me.com
http://www.misbourneriveraction.org/
10 April 2018
April Advances
Slowly, some results from HS2’s massive ground investigation programme are becoming public. Revisions to the British Geological Society’s maps in 1992 enabled a huge step forward in appreciating the geology of the Chilterns and the Misbourne valley. Understanding of the various chalk strata has evolved subsequently with work by, particularly, Dr Haydon Bailey. Some of the local detail came from the very boreholes that we now use for our monthly study of groundwater levels. Now the HS2 investigation has confirmed the extremely fractured nature of the chalk to a significant depth between Amersham and Chalfont St Peter; extending even deeper at the crucial Chalfont St Giles crossing point than that advised to, and ignored by, the Parliamentary Select Committees. The new data also identifies a number of faults, and other features, not previously mapped although suspected. These significant discontinuities to the simple, basically three layer, picture we have used before undoubtedly complicate the easy explanation of the enigmatic flow patterns that we have attempted and will warrant further study. Perhaps suffice to say the risks to future flow in the river and stability of the ground above the tunnel appear greater even than expected and remain to be mitigated. We must rely on the Environment Agency to ensure appropriate measures are implemented - in my view including environmentally sensitive buried lining to the river for at least 500m at each crossing point.
Meanwhile, also slowly, the river is recovering from the severe drought of last year, which saw the first period of no-flow at Amersham Church since 2006, (previous was 1997, when the river was dry along its whole course). People continue to express amazement that recent rainfall has not brought continuous flow but, in fact, groundwater levels are still below average for the time of year - approximately 2m below through the Chalfonts, though much healthier further upstream.
One problem with being retired is that there is never enough time to fit everything in. We have attempted a couple of work days this year but each time were dissuaded form going ahead by sub-zero temperatures - there was one day when 3 of our keenest expressed disappointment that I wasn’t happy to venture out in the falling snow! There is no doubt much to do - so many hands required - but recently the calendar has had no gaps. Particular tasks include clearing the way to join up the flow at the Recycling Centre with that below Bottom House Farm Lane; to clear though the woods downstream; and the annual onslaught on the leat though to Mill Lane. Please let me know if you can join us for some rewarding spring cleaning at work parties on Saturday 28th April morning 9.30 am), or afternoon (1.45 pm) shifts and/or Wednesday morning (10.00 am) on 2nd May.
As usual, I will send further details to those who contact me. If you suspect I may not have it, please let me know your shoe size so I can sort appropriate waders. (I will address the issues of GDPR in a future letter!) I’m still (slightly) optimistic that we can get flow to Chalfont St Giles in May.
Finally, are you able to offer part of a garage or shed or similar to store all our waders, tools, bags etc. - we only need approximately 10 cubic metres? Our present, very convenient facility in next door’s garage won’t be available for many more months.
12 February 2018
February Fanfare
I hope your New Year has got off to a good start and you have enjoyed the break from MRA adventures.
Last autumn we were dismayed to see that the poor recharge of the last two or three years had resulted in no flow all the way back to Amersham Church - the first time since 2006 we believe. However, as you may have noticed, it would be hard to complain about either the timing or quantity of precipitation over the last couple of months! Recovery is underway and the stream has already reached Quarrendon Mill: my early money is on it extending at least to Chalfont St Giles by May.
Using observations left by the late John Norris, we have reformatted the Excel worksheet of groundwater levels, extents of flow and associated graphs. While this is still "work in progress” and subject to corrections, the effects of the five particularly dry periods in the past twenty five years are apparent in this example graph of the situation at Chalfont St Giles. (Other graphs and also the entire workbook are accessible on our website). You will recall that flow above the water table is known as “perched flow” and this can easily be seen in the months of flow that continue after peak levels have passed.
“Perched flow” - the norm for the Misbourne below Shardeloes Lake - is sustained by the river bed being clear of blockages and essentially this is the focus of MRA’s normal work parties. Experience has shown us that work on the river can be very rewarding, fun and friendly - also much more effective if undertaken before late spring or summer growth gets established. Hence, we propose to commence the season cherishing various locations between Amersham By-pass and Mill Lane at Chalfont St Giles with work parties on the morning of Wednesday 28th February from 09.30 and on Saturday 3rd March (morning and afternoon slots). Please let me know if you can join us and I will send further details nearer the time.
We will also be present to welcome all comers to an informal chat about the river, MRA, the weather, life and the universe etc. - i.e. a “not-a-meeting” from 07.45 pm at The Greyhound, Chalfont St Peter, on Wednesday 21st February.
Finally, it was good that everyone appeared to thoroughly enjoy our annual dinner before Christmas. As it is a busy time of year, please make a note in your diaries now of this year’s event which will be on Thursday 13th December.
28 November 2017
November Numbers
Oh dear! Here we are, one month into the annual recharge season with groundwater levels still falling and, as gardeners will know, a high "soil moisture deficit" - i.e. the ground is very dry.
The Environment Agency report for Hertfordshire and North London states “Groundwater levels continued to fall at all of our groundwater sites across the Area with both Ashley Green and Amersham Road - both on the Chess - having recorded the lowest October groundwater levels on record”. While our own records for the Misbourne valley indicate levels are the lowest for 10 years, they are still quite a bit above 1997. Furthermore, although recent rainfall totals have been low, historical records list plenty of times in the past 150 years when annual (and two years’) total rainfall figures have been less. Affinity Water have shared information with us to confirm that abstraction has been no higher than usual and, of course, a poor summer helped avoid the usual high demand for lawns etc.
Seeing no flow through Amersham has been a bit of a shock but the situation mirrors that of 2006 and in 1997 the Misbourne was dry all the way to below Chalfont Park for several months. So, what can we expect in 2018? The answer is totally dependent upon the timing and “shape” of winter precipitation. Too late and it will be lost to new growth in the spring. Too stormy and it will be lost as run-off. Daily and constant should do the trick!!
To cheerier matters. You will, I’m sure, have noted the 10th annual MRA dinner in your diaries from previous missives. Just to confirm, it will be on 14th December at The Greyhound in Chalfont St Peter 7.15 for 7.45 and, as usual will be a very enjoyable evening. Please let me know by next Tuesday 5th if you can join us and I will send out menus for you to choose from. Cost this year is £25.50 per person for 2 courses or £29.50 for 3 including coffee. Remember RSVP ASAP.
Unless we hear of any particular obstructions, there seems little we can productively achieve until the spring. We will just let the vegetation die back before once again working towards ensuring the watercourse is fit to optimise whatever water we eventually receive.
Meanwhile, we really look forward to catching up with you at the dinner on the 14th.
10 September 2017
September Surprises
At the time of the last bulletin the rains at the beginning of August were lashing down and many disappointed holidaymakers have tales of wet days in the month. I was therefore surprised to receive the monthly groundwater levels for 1st September from David Anderson with a note to say that there had been a further fall in the month. David has been measuring every month for many years and his work is invaluable to our studies. You may recall the graph that showed the August readings were the lowest (for 1st August) in the last 10 years. I will save you from another graph, but the 1st September readings are again the lowest for 1st September. In practical terms, the river is now dry to the footbridge 200 yards or so upstream of Quarrendon Mill.
It was a surprise to receive a call regarding three dead trout just a bit over 6” long by the Jaguar Garage at Amersham. I had not known there was a colony there but apparently young hatch out near the bridge every year - these were probably several years old. I am sure they died from lack of oxygen in the remaining very shallow, slow stream and noted some nasty green algae in the muddy edges upstream.
Probably not a surprise but no-one has thought it worth having a work party this coming Wednesday morning - 13th - so we will call that one “Cancelled”.
On 23rd, I am now otherwise engaged in the morning but happy to run a general tidying session in the afternoon. Targets envisaged include some debris removal at Amersham, maybe check out the leat at Chalfont St Giles and some “gardening” at the usual spots in Chalfont St Peter. Could those who have already volunteered for the morning, please let me know if they can switch to the afternoon or if content to be self-sufficient in the morning. Meanwhile, I look forward to hearing from lots more of you who can join us in the afternoon.
Finally, don’t forget the Chalfont St Peter Village Action Group showcase event in the Parish Church Hall next Saturday 10.00 - 2.00.
20 August 2017
August Arrived
So, August arrived together with copious rain to start the summer holidays; letters from Affinity Water advised of their concerns with regard to aquifer levels; and, of course, the river Misbourne dry from the lake in Chalfont Park to nearly as far as Quarrendon Mill. Rainfall in recent weeks has brought a little recovery and there is currently flow at least as far as Bottom House Farm Lane.
After the rains this month, many people are asking “How can this be?” The graph below, showing groundwater dip levels at various observation points on 1st August over the last ten years, shows the point that Affinity Water is making. Another way of looking at it is that in the year 19th August 2013 to 18th August 2014 Chalfont St Peter had 810.5mm of rain whereas in the year 19th August 2016 up to today there was 546.6 mm. ………… and a good portion of that has been since March so was immediately taken up by trees and vegetation.
We had two good outdoor sessions with the Cubs and Scouts at Chalfont St Peter in July clearing some “Fool’s Cress" and making remarkably good estimates of how much the river bed falls from Chalfont St Giles to Chalfont St Peter. (It is about 10 metres from 7m above sea level to 60m). As the river was dry, we were obviously unable to carry out the planned search for invertebrates (aka “creepy-crawlies”) and small fish. However, these were again very well demonstrated by Mel Barnett and Dorothie Jones with their live exhibits at our stand on Chalfont St Peter Feast Day. We are very grateful to them. It was good to see several of you during the day and pleasing to have some new volunteers and supporters join the ranks.
I think it is likely that flow through the Chalfonts will recommence during the autumn. It will be good if we can ensure there is a good, open channel to encourage it as far and as fast as possible. Having had a break, let’s start with a good turnout for a work party on Saturday 23rd September. For those of you who prefer a weekday, I am suggesting a 10.00 a.m. start on Wednesday 13th September. If you can join us either morning or afternoon on 23rd or morning on 13th, please let me know and I will send detail arrangements nearer the day. We’ll also look forward to seeing you for a drink and a chat at our first “not-a-meeting” for a while in the lounge area beside the restaurant of The Greyhound, CSP, at 7.45 pm on Thursday 21st September.
While on the subject of dates, the CSP Village Action Group, which includes MRA, is holding a Showcase Day for all the member groups with additional exhibits, refreshments and entertainments in the Parish Church Hall on 16th September 10.00am to 2.00pm. Do come along and, if you can do half an hour or so on our stand talking to interested parties, please get in touch. Finally, on dates, you may have started to receive Christmas enquiries: don’t forget MRA’s 10th Annual Dinner is on December 14th!
11 June 2017
June Jumble
"Nothing has changed; nothing has changed”:
We still have a little bit of a stream, though it did dry up twice in Chalfont St Peter for a day or two in the last month.
Groundwater levels dipped on 1st June are still very low, though not quite as low as those of 2012 when the river dried up well above Chalfont St Giles.
Dates for your consideration are as before:
This Wednesday, 14th, there will be a morning work party from 10.00am
Next Saturday 17th, work parties am or pm
Saturday 24th June - we will have a stand at Feast Day and always grateful for support for an hour or so on the day.
If you would like to help with all or any of the above and haven't already been in touch, please let me know and I will send details just before the day.
No need for advance notice if you would like to join us for a drink and a chat regarding matters fluvial, or even political if you must, this Thursday 15th at Merlins Cave, Chalfont St Giles from 7.30pm
Some of us attended a very interesting talk by Ilias Karapanos of Affinity Water a few weeks ago. I'm not at all sure that I fully agree with his doubts that reduction in abstraction is likely to be reflected in increased flow in the rivers and I think experience of the last 25 years shows it is. (Happy to discuss/debate the detail). Anyway, I’m pleased to note that I have received subsequent assurance from Affinity Water that, indeed, reductions in abstraction at both Amersham and Chalfont St Giles are proceeding as previously advised, contrary to the statement at the meeting.
So, no change there then, and, as always we look forward to seeing you very soon in or by the river.
12 May 2017
May Memo
Rather than chuntering on about how little rain there has been in recent months, perhaps for a change we might look at how much worse it might be. The graph below shows how groundwater dip levels were even lower in dry spells in 1991, 1997, 2006 and 2012. In the 1991/92 episode, Shardeloes Lake dried up. Going back in time there was a drought in 1771 when Deep Mill stood idle and another in 1884 when the gap in the river between the Chalfonts is noted. And so it goes through the ages, records of dry spells and floods, memories of swimming in the river and photos of a dry bed by the pond at CSG, all confirming the variability of the Misbourne.
Nevertheless, there seems little doubt that cherishing the watercourse from Amersham onward has made a difference to the ability of what water there is to find its way along the surface rather than sinking into the ground. As such, it remains pleasing and a bit of a surprise that flow is continuing, even under more challenging circumstances than in 2008/9 when flow ceased above CSG.
So, dates for more cherishing work parties:
Sunday 21st May morning and afternoon
Wednesday 14th June
Saturday 17th June morning and afternoon
Please let me know if you can join us on the 21st stating whether morning or afternoon (or both) and wader size if I don't already have it.
And dates for talking about cherishing:
Thursday 15th June at 7.45pm at Merlin’s Cave, Chalfont St Giles
or join us at Chalfont St Peter Feast Day on Saturday 24th June (help on the stand always appreciated)
27 March 2017
April Approaches
Its been a good few weeks for welcoming new supporters, of whom one has already enjoyed a work day, another is brimming with enthusiasm for doing good things in the Missenden area, and another is joining use this coming Saturday.
Yes, indeed, this is "2nd bell” for work parties this Saturday 1st April at 09.30 and 1.30. Thanks to those who have already signed up and, if you can join us, even for an hour or so, please let me know. I will send orders of the day during Friday pm when I know how many we will be and what jobs to prioritise: there are many from an expeditionary force to the Mill leat N of Chalfont St Giles to see what the winter has wrought, thru’ to forming river view points between the brambles alongside the footpath by CSP Community Centre.
For those who prefer weekdays, we will have another bash on Wednesday 26th April - again please let me know.
Our last two “not-a-meetings” have been very interesting with a good group the month before and an opportunity to talk in some detail with our two new friends from Missenden last week. Once again, we will be having a drink and a natter in the White Hart, Chalfont St Peter, on Thursday 20th from 7.45 pm. I understand that the spokes person for Affinity Water at the Chiltern Society talk at the weekend was quite positive about what is going on with the Misbourne and, particularly, their programme to reduce abstraction from the lower reaches. I look forward to more detail from any of you who might have been there.
A notable find beside the allotments in Chalfont St Peter during our endeavours a couple of weeks back was this little fellow who one of our experienced anglers is quite certain is a brown trout.
We look forward to seeing you in or by the river soon
08 March 2017
March Mixture
The day of our first work party of the year found several of us low with the bug. As it was snowing, others understandably decided against a paddle in freezing water, but not everyone and, amazingly, the village centre section of Chalfont St Peter and St Giles were cleared of winter debris. Now that’s dedication to the cause!
Hopefully the elements will be kinder for our efforts next Tuesday 14th starting 10.30. Thanks to those who have already signed up - if you can join us too, please let me know by Sunday and I will be in touch on Monday with plans for the day. I’m already aware of a few large branches deposited by Storm Doris to be cleared away. After Tuesday, your next opportunity will be Saturday 1st April - again please let me know if you can join us. Work at this time of year can make a lot of difference to the amount we need to do later on and the presentation of the river for passers by.
After the last couple of weeks, you won’t want me to be going on about a lack of rain. Suffice to say that groundwater levels on the 1st March were the second lowest we have seen in our ten years of detailed study. The upper reaches of the Misbourne have remained stubbornly dry and, at present, I am not placing any bets that we can sustain flow through the Chalfonts for another year ………… but we will try.
Chalfont St Peter Feast Day is on Saturday 26th June and we will again be having a stall. Help for an hour or so on the day would be much appreciated and I do hope we can lay on the displays of creepy-crawlies from the river which are always such a draw.
And a final date for your diary - we will have a “not-a-meeting” in the refurbished White Hart, Chalfont St Peter, on Thursday evening 23rd March from 7.45. It was good to see a couple of new faces at our last: why not come along for a natter?
10 January 2017
January Jubilation
In December, we were surprised and disappointed that the Misbourne, having reached the beginning of November flowing all the way to the Colne, suddenly ceased in Chalfont St Peter. Well, it appears that the problem was most likely not down to the supernatural but a blockage upstream of Quarrendon Mill leading to much of the flow escaping into the fields. Allen Beechey, our guru from the Chilterns Conservation Board, reported that he had been in discussion with the landowners and tenant regarding the issue but that he, personally, had cleared the immediate problem in a few minutes. We noticed flow resume hesitantly through Chalfont St Peter at about that time and has been continuous since a few days later.
Assuming, as seems very likely, that this was the cause this is triple good news ! A) We have flow again. B) Our predictions based on groundwater levels and rainfall were not confounded. C) It is a really strong example of the impact of exactly the type of minor maintenance work that we have been undertaking for over 8 years. So we had plenty to celebrate at our 9th Annual Dinner. Let’s hope we can reflect upon continued success at the 10th later this year. We look forward to seeing you there: it will be on Thursday 14th December, unless I receive a lot of appeals - try not to double book!
Meanwhile, groundwater levels at the beginning of 2017 were generally similar to the well below average readings of 2016 (also below average in Jan 2015) and the 12 month rainfall at 575 mm (Chalfont St Peter) remains below the 25 year average of 618 mm.
And so, to work! Our first outing of 2017 will be on Saturday 11 February - probably the usual 2 shifts, starting at 09.30 and 1.30. Please let me know if you will be joining us, for which shift, and wader size if I don’t already have it. I am thinking of breaking the mould and having a work party on Tuesday 14th March starting 10.30am and would be very interested to know if that might suit you as well, or better than weekends. There will be a “not-a-meeting” - a general chat about local matters, river and otherwise, or indeed anything else, at The White Hart, Chalfont St Peter on Thursday at 7.45pm: all welcome, just turn up.
As ever, we look forward to seeing you in or by the river
06 December 2016
December Disappointment
Well, having reached the beginning of November with flow all the way through the Chalfonts, we were really confident that it would continue for the full year despite another year of below average rainfall and groundwater levels. Alas, it was not to be and on 14th November flow ceased in Chalfont St Peter and has remained so except when there has been some short-term storm run-off. As our groundwater dipping team report, "it is difficult to explain because the water table levels are mainly higher at all sites compared with the same time last year when we had continuous flow from downstream of the hospital through to the R. Colne”.
I don’t think it is all because we cancelled our work day in November due to poor weather and my ‘man-flu’. Maybe, we should reconsider the folklore that these ladies believed in January 1939?
More likely though, it seems that there is a swallow hole just upstream of St Peter’s tennis courts in the area where we normally see springs early in the year, and the water is going in rather than coming out!
Anyway, we can still look forward to enjoying our 9th annual MRA dinner on 15th December - yes, just 9 days away. Thanks to all who have already let me know you are coming but if you haven’t and will be joining us for this convivial evening at The Greyhound, please let me know now - certainly by Saturday. Price is 3 courses for £26.00 or £22.50 for 2 courses. I’ll be sending out menus at the weekend for you to chose or you could take a sneak preview at MRA Dinner Menu Let’s all celebrate the achievements of our first 8 years and give our long suffering spouses and/or friends a treat.
If, unfortunately, you won’t be with us, I take this opportunity to wish you and yours a happy and peaceful Christmas time and to send best wishes for the New Year when, as ever, we look forward to seeing you in or by the river
Take care
08 November 2016
November Nagging
"And so today to the House of Lords", as Samuel Pepys might have said. Yes, indeed, the group “SaveStGiles" presented to the HS2 Select Committee our concerns that HS2 construction may risk the fragile river that we cherish through the Chalfonts. Part of the pitch was an appeal for the tunnel to run deeper, below the heavily fractured chalk, and the other was for environmentally sympathetic Bentomat lining for just 200m upstream and downstream of the crossing points. Both arguments were well made but, despite our best nagging, one is very conscious that the huge HS2 empire has very expensive lawyers and very close connections with the Environment Agency team who share their offices. We will see, but we did our best.
We were a bit stretched again last workday - another when the “really sorry I can’t join you this time”’s significantly outnumbered the positives. Nevertheless, we achieved our objective and things are fairly shipshape from Bottom House Farm Lane through to Cherry Acre and again through Chalfont St Peter. We would like to at least have a go at the relatively short, relatively easy outstanding piece between Cherry Acre and CSP on Sunday 20th November Please let me know if you can join us, morning or afternoon.
But Nag No.3, is the big one! Please let me know as soon as you can if you are joining us for dinner at The Greyhound on 15th December. 2 courses £22.50; 3 courses just £26 and always good fun and good value ……….. and a chance to spoil your non-fluvial partner.
After all the nagging, it’s time to celebrate:
we have some flow all the way from Amersham through the Chalfonts for the 4th successive full year despite groundwater levels being generally a metre below 10 year average all year and 12 month rainfall being only some 80% of a normal year.
Affinity Water have reported that they are on track with their programmes to reduce abstraction in the Chilterns and specifically the Misbourne catchment in 2018 and 2020
Our long list of supporters continues to grow and we have had several new and very welcome volunteers join us on workdays in the year
And, I’ve got a House of Lords pen!
Hope to see you on 20 Nov and particularly on 15th December.
15 October 2016
October Opportunities
A fantastic effort from your 12 volunteers on the September Work Day. Everyone was shattered but really satisfied to have opened the channel that had all but disappeared all the way from the start of the sheepfield to Cherry Acre. The before and afters below give you an idea. We were also delighted to find more little fish - good whitebait size - in the river than I have ever seen between the Chalfonts before.
Hopefully, you have remembered that our next, and possibly last work party in 2016 is next Saturday, 22nd October. We will be doing some autumn tidying - probably not too strenuous, in both villages and, if necessary through the woods. Plenty for everyone of all ages and abilities. Please let me know if you can join us and I will send out suggested team and task details on Friday. I would prefer to keep it to the morning only but, if you want to join in and can only do afternoon, let me know and we will be happy to sort something out to suit you.
Also coming up sooner than you might think is our annual dinner on Thursday 15th December! Don’t get “double-booked”: make sure it’s in your diary and book as soon as you can. Always a good, fun, informal evening (no speeches, no reports!)
26 August 2016
August Alerts
It was good that we had a reasonable number of volunteers for our work day on 31st July because we found the river had very nearly disappeared under the jungle of the field just upstream of CSG library. After much hard work it was persuaded to reappear and follow the prescribed route. Now, despite this mainly glorious weather, it has continued to trickle down to CSP and beyond. Another group bravely tackled brambles and nettles downstream of CSP centre………………… a good and satisfying time was had by all!!!
However, before we get too cheerful, please note that our troubles above CSG were probably due to the very low numbers of helpers for our work-days earlier in the year which had meant that this area had not had its relatively quick and easy spring trim. Indeed it seems our efforts so far this year have just, (only just) failed to maintain the progress made over the past years when it really seemed that we had got to a sustainable condition from Amersham to Chalfont Park.
Given such an opening you will be expecting a stern call to arms for the work party pencilled in for 3rd September. Alas, such are the pressures of being retired that it is necessary to reschedule to Saturday 17th September. As usual, we will have a morning session from 09.30 and an afternoon follow on from 1.30 p.m. Our focus is likely to be through CSG centre towards the sheep field, encouraging another year of continuous flow through the valley. Please let me know if you can join us for one or both of these shifts, together with your shoe size for waders if you aren’t sure I already know.
By the way, looking ahead, I can already see a need to also postpone our October frolic from the 8th to the 22nd. One date that remains firm is our 9th Annual MRA Dinner which we hope you have firmly in your diary for Thursday 15th December.
As for news:
You may have seen the articles in the local papers regarding the petition from “Save St Giles” to the House of Lords regarding HS2. The petition can be found at http://www.savestgiles.com/uploads/7/4/7/7/74773905/petition_short_hol.pdf .
Arrangements are in hand for qualified and authorised personnel to deal with a recurrence of Japanese Knotweed at a couple of locations in Chalfont St Peter. Remember there are legal controls regarding this horrible plant. Sister groups, particularly on the River Chess have made good progress with elimination of two other invasive species - Himalayan and Orange Balsam. This year we have had less of a problem than previously and may also be getting somewhere.
One of you recently completed our 1,000th volunteer shift. Over 150 of you have given at least one shift since we began and over 150 of you have yet to do so. If everybody was to do one shift - say 3 hours - every two years, I think we could cope very nicely. Perhaps we can start with a good showing on 17th September?
22 July 2016
July Jolly
We hope the more seasonal weather of the past few days has been to your taste.
Not much river news this month. Stands of Japanese knotweed in Chalfont St Peter are a bit of a concern. In 2013, reporting them to EA was sufficient to mobilise trained and licensed teams to treat the problem - with considerable success. However, these days, it appears that EA are unable to respond and I have arranged with other licensed personnel to visit in August. Do remember that tackling it yourself is not appropriate. Arisings have to be disposed of as “hazardous waste” - similar to asbestos. It is illegal to allow it to spread and, because, each little piece can become a new, vigorous, invasive plant wherever it settles, it is pretty well impossible to cut it without thus breaking the law.
If you remember June as particularly wet, you aren’t wrong: 73.4 mm in CSP compared with a 10 year average of about 50 mm, but actually not so exceptional when, only 4 years ago June 2012 yielded 123 mm. And don’t rely too much on the rest of summer as August 2008 gave us a soggy 117 mm so enjoy summer while it lasts. Anyway, one way or another, River Misbourne flows nicely at present in the lower reaches, though interesting to note that the winterbourne flow apparently never reached up to Great Missenden this year.
Our little session on 2nd July was useful and significantly improved flow up and downstream of CSP centre. It would be good to have some more support for our next work party on Sunday 31st July. Key work areas will be through the field immediately above CSG library and a short section outstanding just below CSP centre. Others would, no doubt, benefit from your attention and I’ll add them in if we have enough muscle-power. So, morning or afternoon or both. An hour, a shift, or a day - you decide, (though our preference that particular day is p.m.) Please let me know asap (with your shoe size for waders) if you can join us and I will get back to you during Saturday with arrangements for the day.
Well, that’s all folks! Hope to see you soon by, or in the river
14 June 2016
First a reminder that tomorrow, Wednesday, we will be having a quick tidy-up and blockage removal of as many key points as we have people for from 2.00. Let me know if you can join us and we’ll sort out some task groups.
Last week, The Save St Giles (SSG) group invited me to join them in presenting their concerns to HS2 representatives, ahead of their submission to the House of Lords. We sat in the Merlin’s Cave garden having strolled beside the Misbourne on a beautiful day. Speaking for SSG, two eminent geologists expressed surprise that the proposed tunnel route was not much deeper below the surface in view of the poor quality of the chalk in the valley downstream of Amersham. Broadly, these concerns are similar to mine - i.e. there is arguably a risk that disturbance of cracks and fissures in the chalk could encourage greater loss of water through the bed and ground below leading to loss of the river. As usual, HS2 were suave and impassive in their responses but good points were made and we remain unconvinced that “monitoring” is a credible form of mitigation.
Chalfont St Peter Feast Day is on June 25th and we (and 90 other stalls) will be delighted to see you there. We will have the display from the invertebrate monitoring team - complete with intriguing creatures that was such a hit at the St Giles Show last year, together with our usual displays of “before” and “after” photos, chalk stream facts and figures. We always need some of you too, just to explain what we do, demonstrate we are quite normal and friendly really and that cherishing our river is actually quite enjoyable.
Let’s hope it will again be a good, fine day for Feast Day - it usually is, in the same way that The Queen does usually seem rather unlucky with weather for her celebrations, including the Coronation if you recall?! Contrary to our usual grumbles, total rainfall in the Chalfonts in the past twelve months remains well below the average of the past ten years and even more significantly below the long term average. Nevertheless, the last 6 months total has at least been about average and, with groundwater levels a bit higher than last year, it looks likely that we will again see flow continuing through the rest of the year.
The chances of sustaining that into future years also depends, of course, on our looking after it! Your next opportunity (after tomorrow, of course) is on Saturday 2nd July, morning and/or afternoon - please let me know if you can join us and, as usual, I’ll send out orders of the day to you just beforehand. Maybe we’ll have some fresh, keen faces from Feast Day? If booking ahead, note that we are scheduled for the one after on Sunday 31st July.
More good news - The White Hart in Chalfont St Peter has re-opened. “Not-a-meeting” will be there for a drink and a catch-up on river news on Wednesday 29th June from 7.30 p.m. - hope to see you there, at Feast Day, or by or in the river very soon
01 May 2016
Not much news to share this month.
We made a small contribution to the SaveStGiles petition to the House of Lords regarding routing and depth of HS2 and hope to have the opportunity later in the month to put concerns regarding a risk of damage to flow to the HS2 team. A copy of a paper on this subject is now posted on the website on the “MRA in Consultation” page.
Three groups achieved their goals at Misbourne Farm, St Giles and St Peter during our last work day on 2nd April and all reported favourably on the overall cleanliness and flow in the river.
Subject to responses to the next paragraph, our next scheduled day is next Saturday 7th May and, given the date today, we had best consider this note to be "1st and 2nd bells”. It seems as if the weather may be good. Happy to go with a majority view as to whether we work morning or afternoon so, if replying, please state preference - also your wader size if any chance I don’t already have it. As usual, I will email details on Friday to those who have signed up.
As suggested by some, we have also been thinking about a weekday work party for a change but finding a date has been awkward. However, if more of you come back with a preference for Monday 16th or Monday 23rd over Saturday 7th, we seem to have an opportunity to try it this month. We certainly won’t be ding all of them, so please say your piece.
That’s all folk
Looking forward to seeing you by or in the river soon
23 March 2016
Our mad March day associated with “Clean for the Queen”, and accompanied by flurries of sleet, certainly achieved some attractive results in both CSP and CSG, together with some good publicity and a few new volunteers. Possibly, like me, you wonder why on earth “Clean for the Queen” suddenly came out of nowhere to a date in early March - I don’t know!! Maybe, the concept will be tried again nearer the June celebrations. By the way, despite rumours to the contrary, no, it wasn't us who attacked the trees, decimated the fences and obstructed the road adjacent to CSP football ground.,
People keep saying to me that they are not surprised the river is running well as “we’ve had so much rain”. The Environment Agency publishes an interesting monthly round up of various hydrological data for SE England from which relevant highlights are that February Rainfall in the E Chilterns was only 86% of Long Term Average but, more importantly, the cumulative rainfall over the winter recharge period 114%. Our own data for the Chalfonts suggests rather lower figures but it is, of course, the rain up in the Chiltern hills that sets the pattern for river flow in following months. Graphs on the EA site show groundwater levels only now returning to “normal” territory after being below average for the best part of last year. This is reflected by the extent to which the river dried up north of Little Missenden and is now recovering, and perhaps supports a claim that we have helped maintain flow below Amersham through the Chalfonts when, without our efforts it might have disappeared?
Two very different outings in February: one to talk to Masters students at Brunel University at a seminar alongside others from, for example the wonderful London Wildlife Trust. Great talks but a totally dispiriting lack of audience engagement. The other to the cubs at Little Kingshill - a lovely evening! The boys listened intently, asked dozens of intriguing questions and scored very well in our little Misbourne Quiz - a credit to themselves and their dedicated “Akela" and her team. We look forward to doing some outdoor activities with them later in the year.
Those of you who cherish the provisional dates in an earlier missive will see that our next work date was booked for Saturday 2nd April. I know someone does as he’s been in touch to check that it is going ahead - (now that has to be a first!). Yes, indeed it is - please let me know if you can join us for what might be a rather more irriguous and less horticultural occasion than the last one. Future probable dates are also published on the website, together with usual monthly data updates etc.
Meanwhile, we look forward to chatting with anyone who would like to join us for “Not-a-meeting” at The Greyhound, Chalfont St Peter, next Thursday from 7.45 p.m. All welcome, just turn up, and, if you wish, bring suggestions for how we could do better, your Misbourne anecdotes, watercourse queries or just local gossip.
12 February 2016
We hope you have enjoyed a happy and healthy winter break from Misbourne matters and my waffling.
True, we have had a lot of rain recently; although nothing compared with many poor souls in other parts. January rainfall in the Chalfonts was some 130% of average and some places in the Chilterns had over 150%. However, what you might find a little surprising is that local 12 month totals are only some 82% of average and, with lacklustre dip levels most of the way through last year, 2016 begins with fairly even odds as to whether or not we can maintain flow through to another December. March’s measurements will be all important but if you fancy a flutter now, do get in touch. Meanwhile, all looks well and the source is seasonally moving back upstream towards Misbourne Abbey. Flows through the Chalfonts are strong, channels are generally clear and especially on a frosty sunny day the river provides a really attractive background to a walk in the fresh air.
Generally, these pages avoid lobbying in one direction or other on political matters or advertising pet projects. Nevertheless, I would just ask you to consider responding to the consultation regarding various areas under review as potential sites for development between now and 2036 at http://www.southbucks.gov.uk/planning/localplan2014-2036 Clearly, for our councils and government to meet housing demands, not all areas can be preserved as they are and our councillors have to ascertain and put forward the “least worst” options. But one of the very most unsuitable seems to me to be the Mill Meadow area in Chalfont St Peter - indicatively infilling between the backs of Fieldway all the way across the river to the A413. Many readers will recognise this encompasses the children’s play area, two lots of allotments, the football ground, the playing fields, Millennium Wood, the Community Centre, the Scout Hut and Council Offices, the river and wetlands area with adjacent much used walks, etc: - in short a hugely important amenity area, part of the remaining lungs of the village ………… and lots of it subject to flooding and allegedly on the site of previous landfill! If you look at the consultation plan, the logic of a line “straightening up” this corner of the village is obvious but it is up to us to ensure the implications are well understood.
Having said "we don’t do political”, I don’t want to upset any republicans among you but there is a campaign called "Clean for The Queen" launched by Country Life magazine in partnership with Keep Britain Tidy to clear up Britain in time for The Queen’s 90th birthday focused on March 4th, 5th, 6th. CStP and possibly other Parish Councils are getting behind this and it seemed a good rallying call for our first outing of the year. So, we will have a work-party on Saturday 5th March. Quite likely, we will be working in a number of locations, including CStG but certainly at St Peter, removing last years dead growth, springing alder, brambles etc., all to improve the glimpses of the river from the Greyhound towards the tennis court and especially around and upstream of the Community Centre. Please let me know if you can join us, even if just for an hour or so and whether morning (from 09.30) or afternoon (from 2.00) or both. As usual, I will send out a note near the time with suggested groupings etc. to all those who sign up. On Thursday 3rd, we will have a “not-a-meeting” informal chat about river stuff in the Merlin’s Cave, Chalfont St Giles from 7.45 p.m. - all welcome.
Future work days are pencilled in for Sat 02 April, Sat 07 May, Sun 05 June, Sat 02 Jul, Sun 31 Jul, Sat 03 Sep, Sat 08 Oct, Sun 20 Nov - all to be confirmed or revised nearer the time as circumstances dictate. Maybe, there are some who would prefer workdays were on a weekday from time to time - please let me know. Also, most importantly, our 9th Annual Dinner will be Thursday 15th December - please put in diaries now!
Finally, behind the scenes, we have a new exciting contact with Kingshill Beavers, Cubs and Scouts who are hoping to work with us in a few weeks near Great Missenden and, with Chiltern Conservation Board, we are exploring opportunities for joint studies with Brunel University.
Looking forward to seeing you in or near the river soon
05 December 2015
Well informed people such as yourselves are well aware of the special nature of the Chiltern’s chalk streams and that our river Misbourne is one of only 216 in the world - (there are 5 times this number of wild pandas!). More, you know the river through the Chalfonts and up to Amersham provides a vital environmental corridor between the perennially flowing sections up and down stream, which is prone to becoming blocked by overgrowth and debris. Many of you have worked hard to maintain this corridor and cherish the fragile flow. It is good to know that several recent petitioners have been carrying this information to the discussions at the HS2 Parliamentary Select Committee.
In their presentations they have attempted to alert the “powers-that-be” to the risk - however small - that construction local to the river presents to its sustainability. They have also advised how appropriate mitigation of that risk - at no great cost - can be provided by environmentally sensitive lining of vulnerable sections. This safeguard, based on the proposals used in the unsuccessful appeal for Lottery funds a couple of years ago, uses techniques and materials endorsed at the time by all functions within the Environment Agency. These arguments were also put to representatives of one of HS2’s consultants last week during a visit to meet Chalfont St Giles Parish Councillors. Discussion beside the river enabled us to clearly set out the total inadequacy and utter impracticability of HS2’s mantra that they “… would monitor flows and, if necessary take retrospective remedial action …..”.
Knowing what you know about the Misbourne, can you imagine the amount of discussion it would take among the lawyers to agree whether or not any lack of, or reduction in, flow after tunnelling was a consequence of the construction or not? And how much more between consultants as to what corrective measures to put in hand? The seeds have been sown: let us now take every opportunity to ensure the Environment Agency requires substantial advance mitigation of the potential increase in porosity of the substrata under the river as a pre-condition of their approval of construction.
Throughout this year there has been regular discussion as to whether or not it was likely that we would get to winter without the river drying up through the Chalfonts. Well, I now maintain that we have reached winter! And, if you will allow me to disregard maybe three isolated days in September/October when things looked rather dehydrated around Chalfont St Peter, we seem to have made it. Followers of the “Quickview” data on our website will recognise this as quite a milestone. Groundwater levels and rainfall have been consistently similar to, or even less favourable than, those of 2011 when we last suffered significant loss of flow.
I will shortly leave you to resume writing Christmas cards and preparing for festivities but, first, a thought about 2016. During your annual discussion on the topic of New Year resolutions, if you are not one of our regular volunteers, please consider setting aside a day for just one of our work parties………… and, if you are one of our regular volunteers, you can be assured of everyone’s appreciation for your continuing efforts!
I have e-mailed menus to all those - (more than 20) - who I believe have booked to date for our Annual Dinner at The Greyhound on Tuesday week - the 15th. So, if you haven’t received yours and think you booked, please contact me asap. Discussion on the 15th is by no means restricted to matters fluvial and if you now feel like joining us for a very friendly, relaxed evening (there are no speeches) and didn’t previously contact me, never fear: I’m happy to add you in if you contact me anytime up to Thursday this coming week - we would love to see you.
However, if we are not to see you on 15th, I close with many thanks on behalf of MRA and your local communities for all your work and support in 2015, and with warmest wishes that you and yours may enjoy a Very Happy and Peaceful Christmas,
03 November 2015
See attached flyer for the Chiltern Society River & Wetlands Group Meeting this coming Saturday morning - good and relevant speakers for anyone interested in the well being of the River Misbourne.
Numbers are still growing for our Annual Dinner now confirmed at The Greyhound on December 15th but there is still room for plenty more of you to come and enjoy a night out with like minded folk and for yours to join their similarly long suffering partners. Price will be £27 for 3 courses (or £23 for 2 courses). Please let me know in the next month - why not do it now??? - if you would like to join us and I will send out menus etc. in due course.
Another successful work party last weekend completed winter clearing of the leat and some tidying at clogged fences along the valley and some local tidying at Chalfont St Peter. That ends our main efforts for the year with a pretty good situation all the way from Arklow Kennels though to Gerrards Cross Golf Course. As a result, flow has just about kept going with occasional blips. The reason for these odd “blips” of just a few hours or a day of no flow is a bit of a mystery. Some believe it may be due to fluctuation in abstraction causing a ripple in the groundwater level as it travels down the valley. I’m not so sure about that as, in general, any flow in the Chalfonts is “perched”. However, if it is abstraction related, that is effectively good news because it means that the modest reductions in abstraction planned by 2020 should have a noticeable effect at marginal flow times such as now. Any comments, anyone?
It’s been a busy month for many local groups and individuals as they present their petitions to the HS2 Select Committee on HS2. Several are, of course, citing the need for mitigation to ensure that construction, particularly tunnelling under and near the river, does not damage the river. It is well known that the chalk below the river is extensively fissured and also contains a profusion of clay-filled pipes and swallow holes. Any movement along these features will increase the overall porosity of the ground and exacerbate the tendency of the bed to leak. In my view, preventative mitigation in the form of environmentally friendly bed reinforcement is readily available and could be easily applied through particularly sensitive sections such as the crossing points of HS2 and the river at Chalfont St Giles and Little Missenden and in the disturbed area of the old sewage works near Cokes Lane.
29 September 2015
What a super display the invertebrate monitoring team put on for us at the Chalfont St Giles Show! Dorothie’s diptera, Mel’s minnows, Derek’s diagrams and Mike’s microscope had the stand filled with inquisitive people of all ages for almost the whole period. Many thanks to them and others who helped on the day. As usual from CStG, we collected some more names of those interested in what we are about and possibly joining us at the wet end.
This little note now goes to 264 addresses representing more than 350 individuals. Sometimes I wonder quite how many junk-mail boxes it falls into but, encouragingly, I often meet people who confess to reading it and even promise to join a work party one day! Everyone’s support in whatever form, even if that is just spreading the word in the village, or a little litter picking while out and about, or a once in a blue (or orange??) moon appearance at a work session is much appreciated and valued. However, to reach our objective of a healthy river, and to keep me cheerful, we really do need help with our activities.
So, I must note that the scheduled weekday exercise on September 23rd was cancelled as we only had one volunteer and, to date, we only have one for this Sunday 4th October morning. While the river is low and before the winter, we can do a lot in both the leat upstream of Mill Lane and the reach down towards Pheasant Hill. Bottom of Chiltern Hill area in Chalfont St Peter is very overgrown. And it wouldn’t be hard to find other worthwhile targets to help the river through the last weeks of this season and to prepare drainage as far as we can for the winter. In fact Sunday morning isn’t cast in stone so, if you could give us a hand this weekend, please let me know as soon as possible which you could do and any preference from a) Saturday morning, b) Saturday afternoon, c) Sunday morning or d) Sunday afternoon. We will then go with the majority option and I’ll let everyone know what’s happening.
Meanwhile, of course, I might see you for a chat about this and that at our “not-a-meeting” on this Thursday (1st) evening at The Greyhound, Chalfont St Peter from 7.45 p.m. You probably won’t be surprised to hear that I have not managed to prepare a draft for discussion of the constitution our insurers were seeking but it is in the “work in progress” tray.
A healthy number of you have signed up for our Annual Dinner on Thursday 10th December. It will probably be at either The Ivy House or The Greyhound - to be decided on Thursday evening - and will have their usual choices of 2 or 3 course menus. As always, it will be a good fun and festive night out and a chance for those who volunteer alone to bring spouses, partners, friends to meet some of the crazy people they go river clearing with. Please keep the sign-ups coming.
Happily, the river continues to trickle all the way from the Chalfonts, glinting in this welcome sunshine. If not already raided by others, there are great crops of sloes, damsons, hazel nuts and occasional mushrooms (take care!) to be found on a walk beside it and the heron is back on station supervising our adventures.
25 August 2015
Very sorry for:
a) sending last month’s missive from my Parish church e-mail account
b) relocating Merlin’s Cave to Chalfont St Peter
c) failing so far to update the website with August 1st’s data
A good month:
a) Played Gerrards Cross golf course for the first time last week and was pleased to note water still in the river crossing the 1st and 18th fairways, and to avoid putting my ball into either stretch. Even without today’s rain, flow has just kept going through The Chalfonts despite past data suggesting it would not. It’s an interesting - exciting? - situation.
b) It was great to have “volunteers” from Freemantle Media UK working with us for their “Back to the Community” day on 19th and to tackle with them our first sizeable project in Amersham. We cleared and disposed of an enormous amount of overgrowth and overhanging trees from the path and river immediately downstream of Town Mill in Mill Lane to the delight of many regular walkers and, I hope, river flora and fauna which now have some more light.
c) Another good day yesterday continuing clearance around the end of Silsden Meadow, CStG, and on to the sheep field. This continued our efforts in July and there is now a relatively short section to join up this Saturday and complete that reach for this season.
e) a pleasant visit to Merlin’s Cave for “not-a-meeting” last night and an opportunity for those who’d not been before to see not only the interior refurbishment but also how the garden now slopes right down to the river.
Future notes:
a) Some of the chat last night revolved around the fact that, after 6 happy years, our insurers have now decided we must have a constitution! Hopefully this will not result in any changes to our work and culture. There should be a draft for your comment next month - be assured we don’t intend to commence extracting a membership fee.
b) This note also acts as “2nd Bell” for this Saturday 29th work party from 9.30 to 12.30. Currently quite low on numbers and hoping to hear from a few more of you before sending out the orders of the day on Friday afternoon.
c) Chalfont St Giles Show is on Saturday 5th September. Please could we have a few more volunteers to watch the stall for a while, chat to visitors and encourage new members. Cheryll and I cannot be there during the middle of the day. RSVP. The invertebrate monitoring team will be providing a display of their work to show off, complete with real, live creepy crawlies.
d) Midweek gang will be out again next month on Wednesday 23rd September - please let me know if you can join them
e) Next standard work party (after this Saturday of course) will be Sunday 4th October - please let me know if you can join us.
f) Next “not-a-meeting” at The Greyhound on Thursday October 1st at 7.45 p.m.
g) Finally and importantly, our Annual Dinner. Thursday 10th December is suggested but I haven’t booked yet to see how many of you come back by, say end next week, with “would love to come but clashes with Golf Club/Yoga Group/etc. Christmas do”. If several, I will float another date. If the date does work for you, it would be good to have an indication from now.
28 July 2015
As we approach the end of July, R. Misbourne is still flowing all the way through the Chalfonts and on to Denham. As noted before, groundwater levels and rainfall in the last 12 & 6 month period has been very similar to 2011, when the river dried up in Chalfont St Peter on 31st July. It will be interesting to see the the end of month readings - recent rainy days won’t have any meaningful impact - and whether flow is sustained into September. IF (a big “if”), it continues through to autumn, that could possibly be a very exciting comment on your work.
Some of you may have seen the Pride of Bucks spread in the local papers a couple of weeks ago when MisbourneRiverAction secured the award in the Environmental Category sponsored by Trinity Mirror Group. As the blurb said, “many thanks to all those who have been soaking wet, filthy dirty, stung and scratched with us over the past 7 years” - it’s always fun and, as last month at Chalfont St Giles, very rewarding to see and hear how much the effort is appreciated.
We had a meeting last week to compare notes with BucksCC HS2 team prior to their petition to the parliamentary committee. Their remit has moved over the years from purely opposition to concentrating on seeking the very best possible mitigation of all risks and damage that could be caused if the project proceeds. MRA’s stance is similar and is particularly focused on seeking environmentally sensitive lining, as previously approved by the EA for the unsuccessful Lottery Funding application. Most importantly, we believe this is essential where the route crosses under the river under Chalfont St Giles - right in the most sensitive perched section. Secondarily, where the route runs close to the particularly vulnerable reaches of the CStG mill leat and by the Thames Water balancing tanks and, finally where the route crosses the A413 near Little Missenden - a non-perched zone so, perhaps, less likely to experience a change in nature.
For your diary:
a) We will be joining with a local company - Freemantle Media - on Thursday 19th August to work on the river immediately downstream of Town Mill in Old Amersham. We will be tackling where trees etc have got out of hand along the bank and footpath and will definitely need a good posse of MRA volunteers to work alongside.
b) While some good work was done at our last work party, attendance was again rather low so we were only able to complete part of the plan. We will have a weekday exercise on Tuesday 25th August to carry on through the woods below CStG.
c) Our next standard work party will be on the morning of 29th August from 09.30
Please let me know for which of the above we can look forward to seeing you. Remember, just an hour can make a lot of difference: 2 even more.
d) Also, please don’t forget to come and see us at Chalfont St Giles Show on September 5th. The invertebrate monitoring team will be providing a display of their activities complete with a selection of wriggling, creeping things for your amusement. Thanks to all who have already volunteered to cover an hour or so.
e) Finally, hoping for a pleasant evening, we will have our next "Not-a-Meeting" beside the river in the garden of the newly refurbished Merlin’s Cave at Chalfont St Peter on Tuesday 25th August.
25 June 2015
June Jamborees
Jamboree - Not. Our efforts for June last Sunday morning and the previous Saturday afternoon definitely didn't qualify for "Jamboree" status attracting only 4 and 5 workers respectively - still it was raining for one and Father's Day on the other. Nevertheless, good work was done - both sessions at CStPeter: one aimed at The Best Kept Village judges and the other in a much neglected area behind the precinct.
Jamboree 1. Your efforts over the years have obviously impressed somebody as Cheryll and I find ourselves invited to "a bit of a do" at Stoke Park next week. We/MRA are shortlisted for a Pride of Bucks award and dressed in our smart togs and supping champagne will be thinking of all those who have been wet, filthy, scratched and stung alongside us along the way.
Jamborees 2 and 3. We are not having a stand at Chalfont St Peter Feast Day this year (this Sat) but there will be an MRA display in the Parish Council tent. We do hope to have our usual stand at Chalfont St Giles show on Saturday 5th September. This is normally a nice day with pleasant visits to the stand from you and other well-wishers plus the opportunity to recruit some very welcome additional volunteers. Will you be able to pop by? - do a half hour or so on the stand?
Jamboree 4. A little while ago, I mooted the idea of combining the July work party with a picnic and maybe some games beside the river and some have come back with enthusiasm. So, our next weekend work party will be on Sunday 19th July at a river venue to be decided - (should I throw in a "treasure hunt" style set of clues to find us as well?) - commencing at 10.00. We will continue until we've had enough, or there are more people thinking "I came for a picnic" than those wishing to harvest sedge and fools-cress. Please let me know if you can join us for any part of the day at all - no worries at all if it can only be for picnic and relaxation. I will try to identify a worthwhile job and a pleasant location. (Obviously, I trust, the idea is bring your own food, drink, etc.).
And so, to the river ........... Well someone sent me a picture this morning of the lake just below Missenden Abbey looking very sad indeed, and that's an indication of things likely to come all the way down to Little Missenden this year. However, things are still reasonably good through the Chalfonts at the moment. Of course, nettles have taken over the banks in many areas but it is great to note that the river is now a good shape with a narrow centre channel and stony bottom most of the way from Amersham to Denham. To follow trends in more detail, just check in to the "Quick View" or "Data" pages of our website.
Finally, we will have a "Not-a-meeting" at 7.45 p.m. on Tuesday 14th July at The White Hart, Chalfont St Peter. Hope to see you there for a good natter.
/h2>26 May 2015
May Mutterings
As noted last month, groundwater levels are following a very similar pattern to those of 2011 when flow through the Chalfonts was lost and we went into the "drought" of 2012. Some sages have already opined that the river will disappear again this year. Me? - I'm still sitting on the fence (bank?) with fingers crossed thinking it still looks quite good at the moment. Your bets??
Our last work party was indeed different from the norm. When it eventually caught, the long promised bonfire of accumulated rubbish at Chalfont St Giles burned enthusiastically and stokers Dave and Stuart plus those trying to bring branches etc. fast enough to keep it going were dry and very warm - none of this standing about in the cold water in the rain, which I know you enjoy. We hope the walkers now appreciate being able to see some more of the river. As does seem to be the norm recently, we could, of course, have done more if the team on the day had been larger.
You may recall that we had a very successful day last year when a group from a local branch of an international company worked with us at Bottom House Farm as their "Community Day". I have now been approached by two other companies for similar this year and will be trying to put plans together for days in June or July. I'm wondering about possibly tidying Mobwell Pond, north of Great Missenden - "source of The Misbourne", currently dry, and/or around Mill Lane at Amersham. If you are interested in being involved with one or both of these exercises, please let me know.
Diarising events is challenging at present, but likely dates for next work parties are afternoon of Saturday June 13th and morning of Sunday June 21st.
We are planning a "summer picnic (bring your own) and games" to follow a light work party on Sunday 19th July. This will be at some conveniently grassy riverside location: again, please let me know if you can join us.
05 April 2015
April Advances
Happy Easter! Birds are singing, flowers are flowering, trees are budding and rivers flowing: I've even seen the sun briefly today. It's a wonderful world.
The groundwater dips taken at the beginning of the month and, indeed, those at the beginning of February and March show a really close correlation with those for the same month in 2011. 3-month rainfall totals are also very similar, although 6 and 12 month totals are higher. I notice that, by the end of 2011, the river was completely dry from above Chalfont St Giles. At present, it continues to flow well, as it now has, almost without exception, since January 2013. We will see! What do you make of the tables and graphs on the website?
Contractors have been seen jetting culverts and drains through CStP though one wonders about the value of this work compared with the need to tackle the well documented problem of surcharged sewers. Meanwhile surveyors working on behalf of consultants working for the Environment Agency have been making very detailed topographical studies through the village. As far as I know, there are no plans for any significant work though it would be good to have road levels/drainage sorted outside the Party Shop.
After the March Work Party, we felt the watercourse was in generally good condition from Amersham through to CSP and we'd made a good start on establishing some "view points" and a possible picnic spot near CSP allotments. Gardeners will know this is the time of year when much needs to be done to keep on top and set the stall out for the rest of the year so there will still be plenty to do on our next outing. In particular, we will be targeting the bank-side by the new path in CStG including removing and burning various debris we have created over the years - a task deferred from January and still hoping for assistance from the Youth Club now the weather is better. Unless, we have a really good turnout, we will again have to postpone any attempt to tackle the encroaching alder and other near Amersham Mill. It's been good to see the husbandry of the farmer upstream of Quarrendon Mill this year.
Anyway, please let me know if you can join us on Sunday 26th April - morning or afternoon session, or both - and I will send specific suggested work plans.
Meanwhile, we look forward to seeing some of you at our "Not-a-meeting" at the White Hart, Chalfont St Peter (NOT the one at CStG!) at 7.45 p.m. on Tuesday 21st April. It has been good to welcome and chat with some new faces at these little gatherings this year.
19 February 2015
Dear All
People often ask:
Q. Are there any fish in the river?
A. Yes, while several of the invertebrate monitoring sites frequently note sightings of minnows and sticklebacks, you can spot some nice trout around Little Missenden.
Q. Where does the River Misbourne begin?
A. We usually say at Mobwell Pond opposite the Black Horse, (the balloon flying pub), on the Aylesbury Road N. of Great Missenden.
Q. Why do you say "usually"?
A. Being a "winterbourne", it can be several miles down the valley during the drier months and, occasionally in the Spring, a little further up into the fields the other side of the railway line.
Q. Where does the River Misbourne flow to?
A. It joins the River Colne at Denham just before the Colne flows under the A40 on its way to join the Thames at Staines.
Q. What is the borehole dipping all about?
A. We join with the Chiltern Society monthly to measure how deep the water table is below ground at boreholes approximately every mile up the valley from Chalfont St Peter to well above Mobwell. I tabulate and graph the results on the MRA website to show how the levels vary compared with rainfall and the extent of flow.
Q. Why does the river sometimes disappear in the stretch through the Chalfonts?
A. Very simply, because the underlying layer of chalk has a different porosity than the layers further upstream.
Q. So why does it sometimes flow in this section?
A. If there is enough water in the river at Amersham, some will make it all the way through without seeping into the ground, especially if we keep the watercourse clear and free-flowing.
Q. I thought all the problems were caused by the water companies taking our water.
A. It's a lot more complicated than that! Affinity Water works very closely with the Environment Agency and others to ensure they can supply the water we all need with least impact. By 2020, we can look forward to further reduction in abstraction from the valley as networks to other sources are strengthened.
Q. When can I find out a bit more about the river and what you do?
A. Come along to our next informal group chat - we call them "not-a-meeting"s - on Thursday 26th at 7.45 p.m. at The Ivy House.
Q. And when is the next Work Party Day?
A. On Saturday 7th March, probably in two shifts a.m. and p.m. - please let me know if you can join us and for which shift.
Best wishes
22 January 2015
We hope you are all well, fully recovered from surfeits of shopping and Christmas cheer, and over your nasty coughs and colds.
I expect the sight of a little snow last week immediately turned your minds to Misbourne working parties. Never fear! - there will be one for you on Saturday 31st January commencing 10.00 a.m. We aim to spend an energising and relatively dry couple of hours clearing MRA debris accumulated over two years from beside the river between pond and church bridge at CSG and having a bonfire, clearing a few fences and other blockages and continuing the bank tidying at CStP. We hope to be joined by a contingent from CSG Youth club. Please let me know if you can join us.
I was very sorry indeed to read today of the death of Bill Warren, Chair of CSG Parish Council. Bill worked tirelessly for the community and helped us when he could and was intending to encourage more councillors and residents in CSG to join our activities.
The enigma that is the Misbourne continues. As you have probably noticed, flow through the Chalfonts is as good as one could hope for. However, as normal, the winterborne effect has brought the top of the river well down from its spring feed point at Mobwell pond. Groundwater levels are quite high at the top of the river and at CSP but historically below average for January at Quarrendon Mill. Rainfall totals for the 3 and 6 months to end December were fairly normal but the highs of last winter have sustained the 12 month totals. The back stream at CSP is still not flowing. Every time you think you can see a pattern, something else contradicts it. Any way let's maximise and enjoy it while we can!
You can browse and interrogate the figures to your heart's content on the website. But, speaking of enjoying things, we had a lovely, fun evening of good food and company at our dinner in December. Sorry to those, quite a few, who said they genuinely would have wished to come but had a prior engagement. To avoid the same this year, let's float a date for 2015 now! How about Monday 14th December? - RSVP.
While feeling all jolly and sociable, I also think it might be nice to have a riverside picnic and, maybe a bit of a treasure hunt or game of rounders or something for the children, in the summer. Any enthusiasm out there?
Our first not-a-meeting of 2015 will be at The Greyhound next Thursday, 29th, at 7.45. Come along, enjoy their real log fire, and let me know your views on what you think we might do this year as well as catching up on local news, views and gossip.
24 November 2014
First things first: MRA Annual Dinner - Tuesday December 16th at The Greyhound. Always, a good fun night, lovely mix of people, cost (excluding bar) is £23 per person for 2 courses, £27 for 3. Please book your places with me by December 1st - earlier if you can.
If you can't attend work parties for one reason or another, but would like to show us your support, please join us - this is for you
If you still mean to attend your first work party one day, but would like to meet and chat first, please join us - this is for you
If you frequently attend work parties, please join us and bring your partner to let him/her meet other river widows/ers - this is for you
If you have already booked with me, many thanks - I'll be sending out menus shortly.
Some of you will remember our early work parties in 2009 when it was a matter of coaxing a trickle through Chalfont St Giles (February) and into the swampy ground in the woods by Silsden meadow in the following months where neither we nor it (the trickle) knew which way it was meant to flow. The difference now is amazing! A couple of weeks ago, we were able to apply a relatively light touch, mainly working on a well defined, stony, bed as we cleared blockages and eased the channel all the way from Pheasant Hill to the sheep field, (does it have a name?), making a big difference and sending good flow on its way downstream. Also good to have several volunteers from Chalfont St Giles with us. (Not so good to learn that the scallys had been dam-building again the following day!)
By afternoon, it was pouring with rain but, thankfully, things are similarly improved at CStP and it only needed an hour to litter pick and trim from The Greyhound all the way to the Scout Hut. (It used to take a whole morning to do a fraction of this.)
However, the team working down the leat didn't have time to cover the full reach; a couple of trees still need attention there and at Cherry Acre and we could do with a visit to the stretch between Mill Lane and CStG before the winter sets in. So, plenty to go at on our final work parties for the year 09.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. on Sunday 7th December - please let me know if you can join us.
Interesting talks by, particularly, a representative from Affinity Water and other comments at the recent Chiltern Society Rivers & Wetlands Group AGM. These attributed the improvements in Misbourne flow largely to the effect of your efforts in simply keeping the bed wet, preventing cracking and enabling silt to block the fissures.
You may have heard of the Quagga Mussel - the latest in a long list of invasive species. By all means read up on its horrors and potential effects on both wildlife and infrastructure. However the main point in mentioning it here is that if you might be using boots, waders, tools or boats in the Misbourne that you have used in another water course, you must make sure they are scrupulously washed and dried. Its larvae are invisible to the naked eye and can survive in little bits of moisture
Talking of nasty things: when people come across an invasive species of crayfish - (it will be, because there are no native ones in the area) - I am frequently asked if it is illegal to put it back in the river? The answer from the EA is, technically, "yes" - it is an offence to release or to allow the escape of this species into the wild.’ Strictly then, if you see one but don’t remove it from the river, you can leave it be. However, if you remove it you can’t then release it. Clear enough, I guess - I leave it with you!
Sorry for the late reminder our next "not a meeting" is at The Ivy House, tomorrow, Tuesday, evening from 7.45 p.m. - hopefully its already in someone's diary or I'll be drinking alone!
Looking forward to seeing you at one or more of all the above
16 October 2014
1) We had more e-mails regarding the October work party than ever before. While most were along the lines of "dreadfully sorry we can't be with you this time, but hope we can make the next one", I take comfort from the obvious conclusion that the next one is going to be a sell-out - see 7) below.
2) The notion of advertising separate morning and afternoon sessions worked well, enabling a number to attend who could not have done if we'd settled on one or the other: to be continued. The results were good, enabling us to complete unfinished sections between the Chalfonts from the month before as well as some tidying in both village centres.
3) As we all know, groundwater levels at the beginning of the year were exceptionally high all along the valley (and are still high in the upper reaches). However, the usual update of the graphs on the website - see http://www.misbourneriveraction.org/node/18 - shows that levels are now near normal from Shardeloes downstream and well below those of 2008. Yet, unlike even 2008, we still have good flow with little sign of the river losing its way in swamps along the road. Dare we think we have actually achieved something?
4) Our good name has spread a little further and we were approached by the company Avison Young, based in Little Hamden, to help them meet a corporate edict "to put something back into The Community". The result was a really great morning the other day working along the 400 yards from Bottom House Farm Lane to Arklow Kennels, particularly redefining the channel through the debris in the wood and reducing some of the season's growth. Their warm letter of appreciation included "................. thank you for yesterday – not only for helping us obtain our goal of “giving” back to the community but leaving us with a real sense of achievement. We all came away feeling that we had really “done our bit” ......................Thank you once again for a wonderful experience and an insight into what you volunteers are doing – you have our full admiration......" , which was nice!
5) Affinity Water's proposals for AMP6 - 2015 to 2020 - have been re-affirmed by Offwat in its draft determination. This means that the anticipated reduction in abstraction is now reasonably secure. Incidentally, while significant in periods of low flow, the 5 or so Mld extra water left in the Misbourne valley is insignificant compared with typical winter flows of more than 30 Mld, so it will not create additional flood risk.
6) More good news! We find that The Ivy House is re-inventing itself as a decent pub under the new ownership of "Alfie" following its recent disastrous dalliance with modernism and bad beer. We'll give it a "go" for a future "not-a-meeting" as we used to.
7) Which brings me neatly to Future Programme:
"Not-a-meeting" at The Greyhound on Thursday 30th October from 7.45 p.m. - all welcome.
Work Parties Saturday November 8th at 09.30 and 2.00 p.m. Please let me know if you can join us and for which (or both) and I will send details in due course.
Annual End of Season/Christmas Dinner at The Greyhound on Tuesday December 16th. Cost (excluding bar) will be £23 per person for 2 courses, £27 for 3. Thanks to those who have booked already - please let me know as soon as you can if you can join us for what is always an enjoyable night.
By the way, talking to one of our most staunch supporters from the sidelines the other day, it became clear that her impression of our "not-a-meetings" seemed to be that there were lots of us propping up the bar in a blokeish sort of way, basking in tales of deep mud and fallen trees. As I assured her, this really isn't the case - numbers are generally small and seated, conversation is civilised and wide ranging, not always river related, (though last time it was interesting to spend some time discussing planned improvements to the river by Tesco at Amersham) and it is pleasant to meet and chat with like-minded people. I do look forward to her, (and her husband), joining us on Thursday 30th and hope you will too! As one recent attendee puts it ".................to share interest and sociability. We can’t have all work and no play!"
There we are then; hope to see you soon, on or in the river (or at The Greyhound)
27 September 2014
Yes, I know there have already been two mailings in September but one was August's delayed and now, if I leave this till October, you will say you didn't have enough notice of the Work Party on Sunday 5th October or, indeed, the "not-a-meeting" on 30th September (though you could have looked on the website)
We did really well with our work party at the beginning of September, with four small groups opening up a good mile between the Chalfonts where thick weed was severely reducing flow and so encouraging losses through the bed. We noticed some excellent examples of "poaching". This is the term given to the action of cattle which trample the water's edge, making the "river" wider and wider and shallower. This in turn causes silt deposition which encourages weed growth which slows the flow etc. By simply clearing a narrow (but not straight) central channel, we were able to rapidly restore a small, fast flowing, narrow, often gravel bottomed stream leaving the marginal plants to thrive in the shallows. The change in the flow in the evening through Chalfont St Peter following our efforts was quite noticeable.
It was lovely that so many of you came to say "Hi" at our stand at the Chalfont St Giles Show where, as usual, we found people very appreciative of all you do and, to be fair, more informed or quick to understand about the basics of chalk streams than I had anticipated. We were delighted to pick up a good number of new members as well.
Last month, I mentioned a wish to do some work around Mill Lane at Amersham. Here is a copy of a painting you may like of the Mill and bridge from about 1890.
A number of people have asked me to join in protests against the proposed Waste Transfer Station at the Amersham Dump, particularly on grounds of potential damage to the river and/or aquifer. I'm sorry to disappoint but personally, in principle, I have no objection to it. Indeed, I sympathise with a recent article in NCE about EF, which this station would feed into, from which two tiny extracts "...the net effect - (of delays to constructing waste solutions) - is that we will continue to send our waste to the likes of Denmark, Sweden and Finland. It is absurd that these countries are building new plants to accommodate our waste" and "When you see these plants in action, you think 'why weren't they built ages ago?' ..."You drive away thinking "what was all the fuss about?". With regard to the river and the aquifer I do not anticipate any harm but am following the proposals in detail and meeting with the prospective developer to satisfy myself that all practicable risk mitigation is adopted (e.g.in selection of foundation design, detailing of environmental drainage settlement lagoon and reed beds and, importantly, specification of construction restraints.) I am hoping that we can, in fact, secure some betterment of the river habitat past the dump and also be involved in policing compliance.
Anyway, back to the beginning and things we can do something about: our next work party is on Sunday 5th October. After the success of last month's afternoon session, we will make it nominally a 2.00 p.m. start. However, if anyone would like make a morning group as well, I will happily put stashes of kit out for you for 9.30 a.m. as usual. If you can make either (or both), please let me know and I'll send you details of where and what at the end of the week.
Our next "not-a-meeting" is this coming Tuesday (30th) from 7.45 p.m. at The Greyhound. All welcome for a drink and a natter - even a Waste Transfer debate!
Finally, please put in your diary now: our annual end of season/Christmas dinner will be at The Greyhound on Tuesday 16th December and let me know as soon as possible if you will be joining us for what is always a lovely, friendly, fun evening.
31 AUGUST 2014
Taking this letter to send while away on holiday was not a great idea as the IT wasn't up to it: now it can be a two-for-one edition.
We did concentrate on Chalfont St Giles last month (July) and, in just a couple of hours, removed sufficient obstructions to lower the river level by some 15 centimetres - enough to change the flow from 'out of the river onto the path' to 'from the path into the river'. Returning the following day, it was satisfying to see the path dry and in much use. Given the delight of the river through CStG, it is surprising that it is so neglected and it takes volunteers from CStP (with, to be fair, 2 from St Giles - 1 aged approx.11) to take any action. Perhaps, if we had been a little earlier, The Show Committee would not have felt compelled to move away to Narcot Lane. Groundwater levels have, of course, been dropping predictably through the summer and are now well over a metre below bed level.
There are indications of growing interest in the river through Old Amersham and we look forward to joining forces and improving the lovely area by the Old Mill. Talking of mills, we had a really interesting poke about around Quarrendon Mill with Allen Beechey of the Chiltern Conservation Board. We were looking at the way the river had attempted to follow an old course from long ago, through the wheat fields, during the winter floods and found it had caused a minor landslip which exposed a cross section of old gravel bed as it curved back to the existing channel. Quarrendon Mill is one of, I believe, 12 mills that used to work the Misbourne.
Not absent have been fish! Good to see the children out with their nets and jam-jars (hopefully they put at least some back) or just looking. The invertebrate monitors note various stickleback, bullhead and other. If you look in the fields upstream of Little Missenden, you may see a trout.
For one reason and and another, although we normally manage about one a month between February and November, we haven't got round to a work party in August. Our next will be on Sunday 7th September 2.00 - 4.30 - please let me know if you can join us - details to follow when we know numbers.
We will also be having a "not-a-meeting" on Tuesday 2nd evening at The Greyhound from 7.45 p.m. - join us for a drink and a natter. And, as usual, we will also be exhibiting with a stand at Chalfont St Giles Show - (should be some interesting questions!!!) - and look forward to meeting up with some of you.
13 JULY 2014
It was good to chat with several of you at the St Peter Feast Day - always very reassuring to hear that not all of you have these missives directed to your "junk mail". As usual, there were some new stories of life with The Misbourne as it used to be, including the one from the sisters who used to take their inner tubes to Chalfont St Giles and drift all the way down to St Peter. We were pleased to sign up a few new potential volunteers.
We also have a few new volunteers about to be trained or have refresher for the invertebrate monitoring. A couple of weeks ago on an evening of "MRA-meets-the-Cubs", it was fun to include a little "kick-sampling" in their activities and see their amazement at the amount of (small) wildlife living among the pebbles. They also attempted to measure the speed of the river as well as doing a bit of extra clearing.
Our next "not-a-meeting" will be at The Greyhound on Wednesday 16th from 7.45 p.m. - all welcome for a drink and a natter. With apologies to the gentleman who couldn't find us last month, I promise to tell the bar-staff where we will be this time.
Our next work party is scheduled for Saturday 26th. Please let me know if you can join us and I will reply with details of where and what close to the event.
I hope we will be able make a bit of an impression through CStG on the 26th as September 6th will see us at Chalfont St Giles Show. It will be interesting hearing all the comments following the past winter during which groundwater levels in the village have been quite a bit higher than the normal river level leading to ducks in the meadows and exposing the stretches of the new path that could do with building up. (Through drainage required under, of course). If anyone could offer some time on the stand, that would be much appreciated.
09 JUNE 2014
A reasonable turnout, fair weather, large amounts of overgrowth trimmed and bagged, a tree removed, a field drained and a significant blockage cleared all made for a successful morning last month. Several of us were very pleased to enjoy the river from the Greyhound garden after!
Perhaps not surprisingly, groundwater levels remain exceptionally high with plenty of water still in the "sponge" of the Chilterns aquifer above Great Missenden, available to make its way downstream during the rest of the year. Obviously, the river continues to flow very well along its full length.
Thanks to those of you who have expressed interest in joining the invertebrate monitoring team. I believe a training/refresher session will be available very soon - details to follow direct to you. If anyone else is keen to join them, please let me know by say 22nd June.
We had a really enjoyable and informative day exploring the length of the river in the company of our charming Environment Agency catchment biodiversity officer, Nancy Young, who afforded us a whole day of her time. You will be pleased to know that largely, though not quite 100% of the time, we had common views as to what "good looks like".
Chalfont St Peter Feast Day is on June 28th and we will be exhibiting MRA's activities from the Village Appraisal Group tent. It would be good to have some help on the day if you can spare half an hour or so but, anyway, we look forward to seeing you for a chat.
As previously advised, our next work day will be Sunday June 22nd. As you know, we normally work 09.30 to about 1.00 but, if there was strong call for the afternoon we could do that for a change. Either way, please let me know if you can join us and I will send further details near the time. If you'd like to put it in your diaries now, the one after is scheduled for Saturday 26th July.
We will have a "not a meeting" at The Greyhound next Monday evening, June 16th (Note: change of date) at 19.45 hrs. All welcome to join us for drink and chat about matters fluvial and dry -(last time, it was predominantly caravanning!).
11 MAY 2014
Our river has been sparkling down the valley, looking its very best in many places during the beautiful spring weather. In a few locations such as just below Chalfont St Giles, groundwater is still high enough to affect the meadows and remind us of the importance of a) the flood plains and b) keeping the rivers clear to drain the waters away downstream. You might recall that, in our first spring (2009), it was almost impossible to find a watercourse through the marsh in the woods by Silsden Meadow so it is good to see we now have a clear, flowing channel over the full length.
We had another rewarding work day in April. As always, some quick results by clearing the schoolboys' dams in CStG, removing accumulated debris at the blasted chestnut and at various fences. We took time out to confirm that at least one of the main sewer manholes still has floodwater leaking directly into it. We advised Thames Water of this last year and, assuming there are others, it is undoubtedly contributory in some degree to the earlier sewer surcharging in CStP. Others undertook more serious betterments at CStP, including a great one-man effort on the backstream, though a break was needed to allow this determined duck and her family to pass. A few days before, she had taken them for a walk along the High St to the consternation of the traffic at the bottom of Market Place.
Nevertheless, and while I again seemed to pick a day when many "regulars" were away from the area for the weekend, I was once more left wondering how we might make our activities more attractive to more of you. Please say if a different monthly format would suit you as I'm sure there is much latent enthusiasm in our ranks!
As posted on the website, our invertebrate monitoring team report improved figures in most locations. The team really could do with some reinforcements in their fascinating and valuable work. No prior knowledge is needed and the task requires just one monthly trip to the river for about an hour for a bit of paddling. Training, kit and waders provided.
Please let me know if you would like to learn to tell your "cased" from your "uncased", your "olives" from your "up-wings" etc and, in the process help to monitor against pollution in the environment.
Our next workday will be Sunday 01 June : I hope that proves a more convenient date please let me know if you will be able to join us - even for an hour or so. Provisionally, the one after will be Sunday 22 June - (to be confirmed). We will have a "not-a-meeting" at The Greyhound on Wednesday 21 May at 7.45 p.m. - all welcome for a drink and a chat.
03 APRIL 2014
Please see the invitation below from the Environment Agency to FREE Practical River Habitat Workshops. N.B. River Misbourne focused on 28th April and 2nd May. If you would like a place, please contact Nancy direct asap before 14 April and, perhaps, let me know that you have used one or more of our reserved places. If you advised last year that you would be interested, you still need to apply now.
You possibly remember our discussions with Affinity Water last year, their consultation in which we urged you to join, and subsequent publication of their draft plans for the period 2015 - 2020 submitted for Ofwat approval? We have recently received an encouraging and detailed update saying the following is being positively considered by Ofwat for confirmation later this year
* Design and construct new pipelines and other measures during 2015 through to 2017 enabling a reduction in abstraction from Amersham of 3Ml/d in 2018 and a reduction from Chalfont St Giles of 2Ml/d in 2020.
* Use of this (up to 5Ml/d) for augmentation during low flow drought periods is still under debate, but the reductions in abstraction would, in any case, be all the time.
* Extended monitoring will be required to demonstrate the benefits to both flow and ecology from the reductions in abstraction. MRA assistance in helping this work in the Misbourne will be welcomed.
* Affinity want to work closely with MRA in deciding how and where the most benefit could be gained from future habitat and flow improvement work.
* Affinity hope for MRA's active involvement in planning and installation of these works.
Beginning of the month groundwater readings will be on the website soon and will show a slight reduction on last month's peak. We can now see that the peak has been almost exactly the same level as in early 2001 but shorter in duration - these two events being the most severe since our own records began in 1992.
We had a good afternoon last Saturday and made a real impact on the "backstream" at Chalfont St Peter which is now running clear and showing some sections of clean gravel bed. Thanks to the weekday squad for disposing of the large piles of arisings, including many branches and 6 tonne-bags of brush.
Our next workday will be Saturday 26 April: please let me know if you would like to join us. We will be back on/in the river proper and, depending on numbers would expect to have several teams from Bottom House Farm Lane downwards. Provisionally, the one after will be Sunday 25 May - (to be confirmed). We will have a "not-a-meeting" at The Greyhound on Tuesday 22 April at 7.45 p.m. - all welcome for a drink and a chat.
08 MARCH 2014
A great deal, including much tosh, has been said and written both nationally and locally about the recent floods so I won't bore you with too much more. Clearly the inability of the storm drains and sewers to cope at Chalfont St Peter and the high groundwater levels at Chalfont St Giles have been the issues rather than river overflow but flows have been exceptionally strong. Views from the A413 have been impressive and I hear that the Misbourne is rising above its normal high point source of Mobwell Pond. Mill Lane remains a no-go area. Groundwater levels along the river are high, pressing on long term records: this months data is worth a glance - see MRA website "Quick View".
River Misbourne in February between The Chalfonts - often bemoaned as a dry section!
However, I cannot resist being slightly controversial. The intensity and duration of the stormy weather and consequent flooding has undoubtedly exacerbated the real misery of those affected. But the residents of Bolton in Lincolnshire where 150 houses were flooded on the night Nelson Mandela died must regret their poor timing and the lack of a really vocal MP or the NFU who have both ensured that the Somerset Levels (100 houses flooded) have never been far from the front pages. In the flash floods of summer 2007 - do you remember them?? - tens of thousands of homes in England and Wales (some reports say 55,0000) were flooded: the comparable figure for 2014 is around 5,500. Lloyds Insurance does not consider the recent events to be a significant item and insurance companies are anticipating a bill of £1.2 billion compared with over £3 billion in 2007.
Wisely, our invertebrate monitoring team decided against wading in the rapids during February so there is no update to their report. It is good to see the extent to which the river bed has been scoured by the high flow and it will be very interesting to see what effect the torrent and change in bed conditions will have on the bugs, beetles and fish. Hopefully, the stony bed will also be less inviting to overgrowth of weeds, making life easier for us ..... and, also hopefully, not increase the bed leakage.
Flows are generally still too strong to comfortably work in and there remains a very small risk of sewage contamination in the river itself. Nevertheless, there is much we can be doing and I hear some of you becoming restless. We will therefore have a work party on Saturday 29th March. For a change, we will start at 1.30 p.m. and our main targets, as usual dependant on turnout, will be 1) civilising the back stream at Chalfont St Peter 2) clearing some of last seasons dieback from the bank sides at CStP. If the sewage risk has passed, we may also do a little clearing of debris from fences etc as well. Please let me know as soon as possible if you can join us and I'll send details near the time.
Finally, we will also have a "not a meeting" at The Greyhound on Thursday 27th March from 7.45 p.m. - all welcome for informal exchange of flood stories and semi-informed discussion of the authorities' responses or other topics as you wish.
The last few weeks' rain have been reflected by a good rise in the groundwater levels, particularly higher up the valley beyond Amersham and I see that the backstream at CStP has begun to flow again in the last few days. Last year, it started in February and ran until August - the best since 2010 and good in terms of long term averages. As usual, various graphs and stats available on our website.
Readers will be sorry to hear of the recent passing of John Norris. For many years, John, a distinguished retired meteorologist, was a champion of the Misbourne and our chalk streams in general and maintained and analysed comprehensive weather and other physical measurements in an attempt to further the understanding of its erratic behaviour. He gave many talks on the subject and prepared many articles. It was John who coined the name "MIsbourne River Action".
It has been necessary to change our next regular dates so that "not-a-meeting" will be at The Ivy House on Thursday 28 November and our final work party for the year will be Sunday December 1st. Please let me know if you can join us on the 1st. Although small in numbers our last two work days achieved really impressive results between Bottom House Farm and Arklow and between Mill Lane and Chalfont St Giles. However, there is still much to do again below Chalfont St Giles.
Misbourne River Action is now 5 years old! Our anniversary Christmas dinner is on Wednesday December 11th - probably at The Ivy House. Please let me know by next Monday (24th) if you intend to come as I need to confirm reservations etc. I will send details as soon as available but, be assured, I will ensure it is not overly pricey and is good value. This event has always been a good chance for river widow/widower spouses to meet and some of those who support us from the bank to meet like minded friends.
With Capital estimates ranging across the Options from £2 million to £55 million and 25 year Operating estimates from £0.5 million to £9 million, cost is clearly a factor in the assessment. Others include rather subjective considerations of the benefit; even a rather bizarre suggestion that occasional drying-up is actually desirable. We were able to see a way to support some of the relatively modestly costed and apparently practicable combinations. We also made very clear our agreed position that our first requirement is for constant and continuous flow. This will, at least keep the bed moist and less prone to leakage. Our second is to press for a minimum flow of 2.5Ml/d and preferably more - e.g. 10Ml/d at Chalfont St Peter as originally proposed by Halcrow in 1988.We have until end of July to submit a formal observation.
On Thursday afternoon I attended the launch of The Chalk Streams Charter - see http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/sites/default/files/charter_pdf.pdf The quality and "clout" of the leaders of this initiative, including Charles Walker MP is most encouraging. It is "chaired" by George Hollingberry MP, co-ordinated by Martin Salter of The Angling Trust and supported by organisations such as WWF.
Making its way back across the fields between the Chalfonts.
Our first work day in 2013 was very rewarding. We were lucky with the weather and had six small teams spread along the valley. It is very pleasing to find how much more quickly and easily we can work through a stretch now compared with when we first started. Even where there was no flow at all last year, the benefit of our earlier efforts has been clear. However, there is still much we can do and with every chance of good flow for a long period this year, we will have a long section to nurture.
The faithful few really could do with some more support from the silent majority! As always, every little helps and if, for instance, you would prefer to do a stint one afternoon rather than in the morning, please let me know. Even a hand with clearing up, taking stuff to the tip, sorting bottles and cans for recycling, etc. would be welcome - it took 2 of us till 5.00 p.m. last time. Other ideas for spreading the load include someone to take on washing the HiVis and gloves - any volunteers? Speaking of kit, if anyone has any old but serviceable rakes, bill hooks, brush hooks, seccateurs, HiVis they would like to pass on, we would be pleased to take them off your hands.
Of course, we can only do our best to optimise what flow there is and, without the rains of the past few months, we couldn't have created the current situation. Nevertheless, we are obviously making a difference and also gathering general support that "something must be done" to ensure regular and increased flow. Discussions regarding Affinity Water's plans for several recharge points seem to have gone behind closed doors at present, but we hope for some good news when an update on the consultant's proposals are released for consultation - hopefully in March.
Our next "not-a-meeting" (i.e. general natter over drink about matters riverine and not) will be at The Ivy House on Tuesday 19th March at 7.45 p.m. - all welcome. The next work party is Saturday 23rd March - please let me know if you can join us. We have plenty of big and small tasks to keep a really bumper turn-out busy sustaining the river flow and improving the environment along its corridor. If you are already otherwise engaged on that date, do note the next one after that is Sunday 28th April!
While you are making notes in your diary, you could also note work days on Saturday 23rd March and Sunday 28th April. Other dates for the year will be on our website http://www.misbourneriveraction.org within a couple of days as will the groundwater, invertebrate monitoring and weather information.
Theory 1 = some human intervention e.g. abstraction fluctuation or operation of sluices or farm work.
Theory 2 = The river froze solid at some point upstream of CStP and blocked itself. The water under the ice seeped away, depositing the ice remnants onto the bed. Then the freeze thawed, releasing the dammed waters in a rush which I witnessed entering the village. I think I favour this theory for this particular happening.
Spring has sprung; the River's Riz. I wonder where the fishes iz.
At last month's work parties, some of us had a lovely muddy time at Chalfont St Giles clearing a channel under the Pheasant Hill Bridge. This activity involved lost drain-pipes, marooned footballs, an initially beautifully clean dog (whose owner had assumed they were out for a peaceful Sunday walk until Naomi introduced them to MRA), yards of rope and a new device best described as a "pick-rake". After this and Brian & Di's intensive clearing and fish rescue downstream of Mill Farm, there was plenty of water to show off Gill & Rose's handiwork past the church - a duck's delight. (Join us on Tuesday for more tall stories) Gill & Rose woz 'ere Ducks vote for MRA
However, life is full of disappointments! Having flowed through Chalfont St Giles since we coaxed in the first trickle of the recharge last February, the river disappeared last week. Maybe the rains promised for this week will help get us off to a good start next season.Less transient is the work undertaken by the C St P contingent where, I hope, these "before and after" photos of the area by the Vic Wotton bridge give an impression of the improvements that have been made.
With a weedy fence Without a weedy fence
All through the year, it has been great to receive so much support from everyone including, particularly, countless passers-by to these and similar projects. It was therefore very encouraging that the Environment Agency opened our recent meeting with a statement confirming a policy aimed at preserving/enhancing the environment directly for the benefit of the people within it. Nevertheless, their letter received yesterday, while providing some hopeful comments, indicates there is still an awfully long way to go before we can reach agreement on even an affordable study period!Meanwhile, we soldier on: - a) This Tuesday 3rd November = we look forward to seeing regulars and not so regulars for a drink and a natter (on all the above and the below) in the reserved bar area of the Three Pigeons Pub, Austenwood Lane, Chalfont St Peter. (NOTE: NOT the Village Hall, this time)
********************************************************************************29 August 2009 MRA - August/SeptemberFollowing the crucial meeting with MP Cheryll Gillan and senior officers of the Environment Agency a few weeks ago, Roger has been making good progress with fleshing out the detail of the plans to address "the leaky bits", as one of our friends calls them. These are the sections singled out for lining trials upstream of Chalfont Mill and near the old sewage works. A Steering Group is being set up under the Chairmanship of John Taylor, Chairman of the Chiltern Society. Roger has met for more detailed discussion with potential contractors and various thoughts are emerging with regard to fund raising and project management. Currently, we are still eagerly waiting the EA's specification for the Environmental Study, which we are impatient to get underway. Meanwhile, we continue to receive a strong message of support for our aims and a trickle of new volunteers. Quite a number of you have asked to be on the "shared list" of names and contact details. I will send it separately to those that have, and leave you to contact each other with notices regarding relevant activities. Please use the "shared list" with consideration as, once issued, I have no way of recalling it and we obviously don't want MRA to become a nuisance! For the general mailing list I will continue to use "bcc" and if you wish to be relieved of my ramblings at any time, just drop me a line Just a few responded enthusiastically with regard to a social event - e.g. barn dance - so, unless someone wants to champion something different, we might just think about a small dinner or lunch later in the year. We will have a small stall at Chalfont St Giles Show, next Saturday 5th September. If you are attending, I do look forward to saying "hello" but it would be even better if you could possibly spend a little while with us talking to the punters and hearing their views. So far, I have very few helpers so if you think you can join us, please let me know. Hopefully, there will still be some flow in the river, which, compared with the recent past is good for this time of year and, just maybe owes something to our first year's efforts. We have booked The Jolly farmer Room at The Village Hall pub on Goldhill Common for this coming Thursday 3rd September from 8.00 p.m. and look forward to seeing anyone who would like to join us. As always, this is a "not a meeting" but an informal drink and chat about where we are, what's happening, what we would like to happen, and an opportunity to say hello to new faces and catch up with old ones. No need for prior notice, just turn up if you feel like it. Our next Working Day is Sunday 13th September. The plans for the day will as usual evolve to suit the numbers of volunteers stepping forward and the ideas/priorities decided on Thursday. One spot we will be working is between the Vic Wotton bridge and the Greyhound. Sandy Warren of the Village Environmental Appraisal Group has, after much effort, succeeded in obtaining all the permissions for us to remove the redundant chain-link fence next to the area where Ray and his team have started. Thanks to Gary at The Greyhound for his help with this. No doubt the Chalfont St Giles team will be wishing to press on downstream and I will check out whether we need to go back to Mill Farm again. Anyway, if you think you will be joining us on the 13th, please let me know. Recently we heard of someone who used to regularly canoe between Chalfont St Giles and St Peter and I also heard of a hatmakers (or was it baskets?) at Amersham who use to send their produce to London by starting off with it in a small barge down the Misbourne to the Colne and thence the canal at Denham. If anyone has similar anecdotes, better still pictures, it would be great to share them. That's all for now. ********************************************************************************5th August 2009 Your MRA needs you t was again good to meet with a few friends tonight (6 in total + 7 sent apologies) but, inevitably, part of the discussion revolved around how to engage the silent majority! Amongst other things it was suggested that people might like to have the ability to e-mail and/or phone each other and we started a base list. If you are happy to have your name, e-mail and/or phone number on a list which I will distribute as an Excel file to everyone who wants to be on it, please let me know and include your phone number as, in many cases, I only have the e-mail address. I know that there are already a couple of sub-lists in existence covering the CStP weekday team etc and maybe this is a way to bring together some more groupings who find their availability suits better than the "organised" work parties. While responding to the above, if not already done so, you could also let me know a)what you think about the idea of a social event b) if you expect to join the teams this weekend c) what would make MRA tick for you. Anyway, it was good to hear Roger talking positively about possible sources of funding for addressing "the leaky bits" as Sandy calls them. At present, numbers look very limited for this Saturday but Dave, Naomi and Di plus all comers - (only 4 of you so far) will kick off on Saturday 0930 by CSt P Community Centre and 1000 by CStG pond with a view to a) continuing the nettle clearance around the Vic Wotton bridge plus any other tidying b) continuing the gentle easing and forming a walking route downstream of CStG towards the field c) if sufficient resource, some fairly rough re-clearing of the channel downstream from Mill Lane ford. As always, if you would really prefer NOT to be on this circulation list, do let me know but, on the other hand, if you like to stay with us it would be good to know you are still there! .... and thanks to all those who have been in touch from time to time. Your support is much valued. I promise - no more mails for a couple of weeks at least! ********************************************************************************11 July 2009We (a few) had a good chat at Village Hall on Thursday and it was good to know there is still plenty of enthusiasm for our efforts and to hear of the general murmur of support from visitors to the stand at Feast of St Peter. We must make sure we have a presence at the St Giles show on 5th September as well. Apart from continuing with general tidying and easing and also supporting the Chiltern Society drive towards earliest possible treatment of leaking sections, we thought that key areas for our attention in the next few months would be:
- Around and downstream of the
, particularly working with the Village EA group to remove the obsolete fence asap Vic Wooton Bridge - Work with
council and Haywardens towards removal/resiting of the old compound asap C St P Village - Initiate an accurate and up to date bed level survey
- General cleaning between C St P precinct and Chiltern Hill
- Work with residents backing onto the river from Woodside Close through to the A413 and across the roundabout to ensure flow is nor restricted
- Continue to ensure the Chalfont St Giles Mill Leat and flow through the stretch downstream of the ford is optimised
For tomorrow:
- Chalfont St Peter team to convene 10.00 a.m at Community Centre – probably one cohort to then despatch to Chiltern Hill
- Chalfont St Giles team (both of you at present!!) to convene 10.00 a.m. by
– detail as my separate note to Karoline. Stone Bridge Further discussion with Roger Lerry of Chiltern Society this morning: he continues to be very optimistic that we have a significant movement forward towards the planned bed improvements.
Best wishes********************************************************************************
04 July 2009
Just back from holiday and still far from caught up with myself so apologies for late note. While flow in Chalfont St Peter has ceased, it is really good to see it continuing through Chalfont St Giles and well into the fields beyond. Clearly this is “perched flow” fed from the upper reaches and, I like to think, has been helped by our work on the Mill Leat and downstream to and through the village. Great news then that, just this week, Roger Lerry received strong support from Cheryl Gillan, our MP, in a meeting at the Houses of Parliament to present the Chiltern Society proposals. I understand that a key factor in the success of these discussions was the depth of local support and existence of a community group – aka MRA! Special mention to Ray Randle and the “weekday” team for their sterling effort a couple of weeks back and to Andrew Wilson and supporters for providing our presence at Chalfont St Peter Feast Day – see photo attached with John Norris, Andrew Wilson & display In my diary it says 12th July – MRA Work Party? What about yours? Given the depth of overgrowth and lack of water at Chalfont St Peter, the obvious tasks are a) a quick litter pick and debris removal upstream of the Greyhound and b) a first hit at the stretch downstream of the shopping centre. At Chalfont Gilles, I suggest a refresh past the farm downstream of, any tidying through the village and perhaps some channel clearance downstream of the Mill Lane . Please let me know asap if you expect to join us for any of the above – it is a busy time of year and if no-one is available, we might cancel this time. (I’ll send another note on Friday evening). Church Bridge Finally, I look forward to catching up with some of “the regulars” and maybe meeting some new hands in The Jolly Farmer Room at the Village Hall from 08.00 this Thursday. Best wishes
As we swing into 2009, I thought you might be interested in an update of our activitiesto date and plans for the Year ahead.Last year, as you probably know, working with the Village Environmental Group and BCTV, weparticipated in the two "de-clutter days", painted the bridge over the river by the CommunityCentre and opened up the spring-fed backstream by the allotments. This has been flowing well forseveral weeks now.In 2008, we also gathered a lot of support and goodwill. The Parish Council have kindly paid for aGroup Activities Insurance for us through BCTV and have reserved a small sum for additionaltools and expenses in the future. The Chiltern Society River Group, chaired by Roger Lerry, isvery excited about our ambitions and this is leading to great support behind the scenes indiscussion with 3rd parties. We have also researched various technical options and establishedcontact with a couple of helpful contractors.This last weekend, a small reconnaissance group walked from Chalfont St Peter to Misbourne Farm(just short of the Ivy House pub on the way to Amersham) where the river is flowing strongly. Aspredicted by John Norris, it is quite clear where the water is disappearing into the ground overa short section downstream of the farm and upstream of Mill Lane. We believe that attention tothis would dramatically improve the flow and associated environmental appeal and diversity alongthe whole valley through Chalfont St Giles and Peter. We lunched at Merlin’s Cave with muchoptimism that the problem is indeed manageable and pleased with the sacks of rubbish we hadcollected along the way. Meetings with 3rd parties, including Chalfont St Giles PC areanticipated in the next couple of weeks and I hope to be able to report in more detail shortly.Meanwhile, we are working towards establishing a simple web-site and still hope to have an exhibitin the library before too long. Early February we hope to have a day both clearing rubbish andeasing the channel at selected points between the tennis courts and The Greyhound. You may havenoticed that the springs in the field near the tennis court are currently showing wellOur numbers grow steadily with this note going out to some 20 households and many others havingexpressed good intent but not yet sent me their e-mail addresses. Given the various "flyers" inshops in the village and some media coverage, it is surprising that the majority of the parishhaven't heard of us at all - Please tell your friends/neighbours and give my address to any whoare interested (or who may have a different view)Best wishes
********************************************************************************the plans to address "the leaky bits", as one of our friends calls them. These are the sections singled out for lining trials upstream of Chalfont Mill and near the old sewage works. A Steering Group is being set up under the Chairmanship of John Taylor, Chairman of the Chiltern Society. Roger has met for more detailed discussion with potential contractors and various thoughts are emerging with regard to fund raising and project management. Currently, we are still eagerly waiting the EA's specification for the Environmental Study, which we are impatient to get underway. Meanwhile, we continue to receive a strong message of support for our aims and a trickle of new volunteers. Quite a number of you have asked to be on the "shared list" of names and contact details. I will send it separately to those that have, and leave you to contact each other with notices regarding relevant activities. Please use the "shared list" with consideration as, once issued, I have no way of recalling it and we obviously don't want MRA to become a nuisance! For the general mailing list I will continue to use "bcc" and if you wish to be relieved of my ramblings at any time, just drop me a line Just a few responded enthusiastically with regard to a social event - e.g. barn dance - so, unless someone wants to champion something different, we might just think about a small dinner or lunch later in the year. We will have a small stall at Chalfont St Giles Show, next Saturday 5th September. If you are attending, I do look forward to saying "hello" but it would be even better if you could possibly spend a little while with us talking to the punters and hearing their views. So far, I have very few helpers so if you think you can join us, please let me know. Hopefully, there will still be some flow in the river, which, compared with the recent past is good for this time of year and, just maybe owes something to our first year's efforts. We have booked The Jolly farmer Room at The Village Hall pub on Goldhill Common for this coming Thursday 3rd September from 8.00 p.m. and look forward to seeing anyone who would like to join us. As always, this is a "not a meeting" but an informal drink and chat about where we are, what's happening, what we would like to happen, and an opportunity to say hello to new faces and catch up with old ones. No need for prior notice, just turn up if you feel like it. Our next Working Day is Sunday 13th September. The plans for the day will as usual evolve to suit the numbers of volunteers stepping forward and the ideas/priorities decided on Thursday. One spot we will be working is between the Vic Wotton bridge and the Greyhound. Sandy Warren of the Village Environmental Appraisal Group has, after much effort, succeeded in obtaining all the permissions for us to remove the redundant chain-link fence next to the area where Ray and his team have started. Thanks to Gary at The Greyhound for his help with this. No doubt the Chalfont St Giles team will be wishing to press on downstream and I will check out whether we need to go back to Mill Farm again. Anyway, if you think you will be joining us on the 13th, please let me know. Recently we heard of someone who used to regularly canoe between Chalfont St Giles and St Peter and I also heard of a hatmakers (or was it baskets?) at Amersham who use to send their produce to London by starting off with it in a small barge down the Misbourne to the Colne and thence the canal at Denham. If anyone has similar anecdotes, better still pictures, it would be great to share them. That's all for now. ******************************************************************************** 5th August 2009 Your MRA needs you t was again good to meet with a few friends tonight (6 in total + 7 sent apologies) but, inevitably, part of the discussion revolved around how to engage the silent majority! Amongst other things it was suggested that people might like to have the ability to e-mail and/or phone each other and we started a base list. If you are happy to have your name, e-mail and/or phone number on a list which I will distribute as an Excel file to everyone who wants to be on it, please let me know and include your phone number as, in many cases, I only have the e-mail address. I know that there are already a couple of sub-lists in existence covering the CStP weekday team etc and maybe this is a way to bring together some more groupings who find their availability suits better than the "organised" work parties. While responding to the above, if not already done so, you could also let me know a)what you think about the idea of a social event b) if you expect to join the teams this weekend c) what would make MRA tick for you. Anyway, it was good to hear Roger talking positively about possible sources of funding for addressing "the leaky bits" as Sandy calls them. At present, numbers look very limited for this Saturday but Dave, Naomi and Di plus all comers - (only 4 of you so far) will kick off on Saturday 0930 by CSt P Community Centre and 1000 by CStG pond with a view to a) continuing the nettle clearance around the Vic Wotton bridge plus any other tidying b) continuing the gentle easing and forming a walking route downstream of CStG towards the field c) if sufficient resource, some fairly rough re-clearing of the channel downstream from Mill Lane ford. As always, if you would really prefer NOT to be on this circulation list, do let me know but, on the other hand, if you like to stay with us it would be good to know you are still there! .... and thanks to all those who have been in touch from time to time. Your support is much valued. I promise - no more mails for a couple of weeks at least! ******************************************************************************** 11 July 2009We (a few) had a good chat at Village Hall on Thursday and it was good to know there is still plenty of enthusiasm for our efforts and to hear of the general murmur of support from visitors to the stand at Feast of St Peter. We must make sure we have a presence at the St Giles show on 5th September as well. Apart from continuing with general tidying and easing and also supporting the Chiltern Society drive towards earliest possible treatment of leaking sections, we thought that key areas for our attention in the next few months would be:
- Around and downstream of the
, particularly working with the Village EA group to remove the obsolete fence asap Vic Wooton Bridge - Work with
council and Haywardens towards removal/resiting of the old compound asap C St P Village - Initiate an accurate and up to date bed level survey
- General cleaning between C St P precinct and Chiltern Hill
- Work with residents backing onto the river from Woodside Close through to the A413 and across the roundabout to ensure flow is nor restricted
- Continue to ensure the Chalfont St Giles Mill Leat and flow through the stretch downstream of the ford is optimised
For tomorrow:
- Chalfont St Peter team to convene 10.00 a.m at Community Centre – probably one cohort to then despatch to Chiltern Hill
- Chalfont St Giles team (both of you at present!!) to convene 10.00 a.m. by
– detail as my separate note to Karoline. Stone Bridge Further discussion with Roger Lerry of Chiltern Society this morning: he continues to be very optimistic that we have a significant movement forward towards the planned bed improvements.
Best wishes********************************************************************************
04 July 2009
Just back from holiday and still far from caught up with myself so apologies for late note. While flow in Chalfont St Peter has ceased, it is really good to see it continuing through Chalfont St Giles and well into the fields beyond. Clearly this is “perched flow” fed from the upper reaches and, I like to think, has been helped by our work on the Mill Leat and downstream to and through the village. Great news then that, just this week, Roger Lerry received strong support from Cheryl Gillan, our MP, in a meeting at the Houses of Parliament to present the Chiltern Society proposals. I understand that a key factor in the success of these discussions was the depth of local support and existence of a community group – aka MRA! Special mention to Ray Randle and the “weekday” team for their sterling effort a couple of weeks back and to Andrew Wilson and supporters for providing our presence at Chalfont St Peter Feast Day – see photo attached with John Norris, Andrew Wilson & display In my diary it says 12th July – MRA Work Party? What about yours? Given the depth of overgrowth and lack of water at Chalfont St Peter, the obvious tasks are a) a quick litter pick and debris removal upstream of the Greyhound and b) a first hit at the stretch downstream of the shopping centre. At Chalfont Gilles, I suggest a refresh past the farm downstream of, any tidying through the village and perhaps some channel clearance downstream of the Mill Lane . Please let me know asap if you expect to join us for any of the above – it is a busy time of year and if no-one is available, we might cancel this time. (I’ll send another note on Friday evening). Church Bridge Finally, I look forward to catching up with some of “the regulars” and maybe meeting some new hands in The Jolly Farmer Room at the Village Hall from 08.00 this Thursday. Best wishes
As we swing into 2009, I thought you might be interested in an update of our activitiesto date and plans for the Year ahead.Last year, as you probably know, working with the Village Environmental Group and BCTV, weparticipated in the two "de-clutter days", painted the bridge over the river by the CommunityCentre and opened up the spring-fed backstream by the allotments. This has been flowing well forseveral weeks now.In 2008, we also gathered a lot of support and goodwill. The Parish Council have kindly paid for aGroup Activities Insurance for us through BCTV and have reserved a small sum for additionaltools and expenses in the future. The Chiltern Society River Group, chaired by Roger Lerry, isvery excited about our ambitions and this is leading to great support behind the scenes indiscussion with 3rd parties. We have also researched various technical options and establishedcontact with a couple of helpful contractors.This last weekend, a small reconnaissance group walked from Chalfont St Peter to Misbourne Farm(just short of the Ivy House pub on the way to Amersham) where the river is flowing strongly. Aspredicted by John Norris, it is quite clear where the water is disappearing into the ground overa short section downstream of the farm and upstream of Mill Lane. We believe that attention tothis would dramatically improve the flow and associated environmental appeal and diversity alongthe whole valley through Chalfont St Giles and Peter. We lunched at Merlin’s Cave with muchoptimism that the problem is indeed manageable and pleased with the sacks of rubbish we hadcollected along the way. Meetings with 3rd parties, including Chalfont St Giles PC areanticipated in the next couple of weeks and I hope to be able to report in more detail shortly.Meanwhile, we are working towards establishing a simple web-site and still hope to have an exhibitin the library before too long. Early February we hope to have a day both clearing rubbish andeasing the channel at selected points between the tennis courts and The Greyhound. You may havenoticed that the springs in the field near the tennis court are currently showing wellOur numbers grow steadily with this note going out to some 20 households and many others havingexpressed good intent but not yet sent me their e-mail addresses. Given the various "flyers" inshops in the village and some media coverage, it is surprising that the majority of the parishhaven't heard of us at all - Please tell your friends/neighbours and give my address to any whoare interested (or who may have a different view)Best wishes