Join us for a special day celebrating 30 years of Eden Rivers Trust and our work to make Eden’s rivers better places for people and wildlife. We'd love to see you if you are one of our supporters, partners or just interested in finding out more about how our river conservation charity is working to give Eden's rivers a brighter future for all!
We’re delighted to be based at Upfront Arts Venue, near Penrith - a creative hub with lots of facilities and a cafe offering vegetarian food, sweet treats and refreshments.
Tickets are free so that the day is accessible to everyone. However, it costs our charity £18 per person to host the event. If you would like to support us, you can choose to make a donation when booking your place. Thank you.
10.00 Welcome and Introduction from our new CEO, Harvey Hamilton-Thorpe
10.15 Talks from the Team: find out more about some of the exciting projects we've been working on in the last year, including searching for Freshwater Pearl Mussels (well, it is our Pearl Anniversary!) and other topics to give a flavour of the wide variety of work we undertake.
11.15 Refreshments
11.40 Keynote speaker - Professor John Quinton, Lancaster University
The ground truth about floods and droughts – why land use, soil and water management matters more than we think
From parched fields and dry becks to sudden, intense downpours leading to flooding, the signs of climate change are all around us. But while much of the debate focuses on cutting CO₂ emissions, could part of the solution lie beneath our feet?
In this thought-provoking keynote speech, John explores how changes in land use, soil management, drainage, and modern farming practices and machinery are reshaping the movement and storage of water across our landscapes. He argues that these often-overlooked changes are amplifying floods, droughts, and risks to food and water security. Drawing on decades of research, he makes the case that better soil and land management could be one of our best defences against the impact of our changing climate.
12.40 Lunch, including 30th anniversary celebration cake (please let us know any dietary requirements)
13.40 – 15.30 Field trips. Join us on one of five field trips in the local area. These include projects led by our staff or our partners, plus other great projects celebrating and protecting Eden's natural heritage that we think you'd enjoy! See the descriptions below. You will be asked to choose one trip when you book your ticket(s). Places are limited; early booking is advised.
15.30 onwards Scones, tea and home!
with John Rattray, Head of Conservation Operations: Take a tour on the wild side of the Upper Caldew - the location of our new 3000ha National Lottery Heritage Fund landscape project. Be one of the first of our supporters to view the project before we get started working with the local farming community. Travelling via minibus, you will be driven along a route that showcases the panoramic views and the intricate farming systems working within this landscape.
With owners Ben and Jannike Taylor: Ben and Jannike Taylor are third-generation agricultural contractors and first-generation farmers based at Plumpton. They have embraced regenerative farming practices, built a successful range of cold-pressed rapeseed oils and stoneground flour, all here in Cumbria, and have just opened a farm shop! Join them for a tour to find out more about their journey from farm to fork.
With Hilary Clarke, Conservation Manager: Catchment Management: Visit our first natural flood management (NFM) bund, built in September 2022. The bund forms part of a cascade of water-management structures designed to slow the flow and create a natural buffer to store water during the peak and extreme weather events that are becoming more of a feature of our changing climate.
With Ali Penny, Invasives Officer: From apps to maps, a practical session exploring tips and tricks for monitoring Eden's wildlife and habitats, with the chance to have a go yourself! Hopefully some river dipping will also be on the cards.
For those who wish to stay on site, take a building tour with our hosts and learn more about how they transformed it from a farm into a vibrant arts venue and cafe. Don’t miss the puppet exhibition on the first floor! There will also be the opportunity to have a go at making a puppet with John, one of the owners and the brains behind the on-site puppet theatre.
Join us for a special day celebrating 30 years of Eden Rivers Trust and our work to make Eden’s rivers better places for people and wildlife.
Price: FREE
Organised By: Eden Rivers Trust
Early booking is advised as places are limited! Click on the button below to order your free tickets via Eventbrite.
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Come along and find out more about this pervasive invasive and let us inspire you to have a go at bashing some balsam yourself.
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