Chess Smarter Water Catchment – Annual Event 2025
Chess Smarter Water Catchment Annual Event 2025 Round Up
On Wednesday 26th March 2025, our Chess Smarter Water Catchment (SWC) Team hosted the annual event. The days events and talks reflected on what has been achieved, it was wonderful to see over 70 people attend the event. 2025 marks a milestone in the projects life cycle, 5 years since the projects inception, and £3million funding from Thames Water being made available to the catchment partnership.
We had yet again another jam-packed agenda, and were delighted to welcome our key note speaker, Alison Matthews – Chalk Streams Programme Manager at the Rivers Trust. Chalk Streams nationally, spread as far south as Hampshire and as far north as County Durham, in a sweeping band of chalk geology that stretches the country, with only 300 of them globally and 85% of those in England we are fortunate to count the Chess amongst this number. Alison did a fantastic job of setting the scene for the days talks, highlighting links between how SWC is helping to inform and in some cases dare I say it ‘lead’ the way, in not only our local understanding of chalk catchment geology, hydrology, ecology but also the pressures and impacts that threaten their very existence; informing national views and understanding.
The Chess Valley Farmer Cluster - Working together for long term benefits to farmers, wildlife and the environment
Other highlights from the day, included a fascinating talk from Harriet Bennett, Farming Advisor at the Chilterns National Landscape and, Jonathan Chapman – Native Beef at Bailey Farm, Chair of the Chess Farmer Cluster. Harriet and Jonathan, discussed some of the activities that the Farmer Cluster has been focusing on over the last few years, with the twin aim of improving water quality and nature recovery in the Chess Catchment. From hedge planting to reduce soil erosion, to a comprehensive whistle stop guide on farming practices that enable soil quality benefits amongst others, Jonathan’s captivating explanations really brought the subject to life enthralling the audience and leaving all with a burning desire to know more.
Education and Engagement in the Chess Catchment
From farming to education, Laura Silverstone Education and Engagement Officer at the Chilterns National Landscape, provided us with a wonderful summary of her activities completed with some of the younger members of the catchment. From new curriculum opportunities in the shape of films, challenge badges to water saving initiatives. It is wonderful to hear that through funding provided by SWC, the school children of the Chess Catchment have had numerous opportunities to actively participate in trips to the Chess to learn more about the Chalk Stream environment and helping them to develop a deeper connection and passion for their local rivers health.
Citizen Science in Chess Catchment
One other area, that cannot go unmentioned was the grand unveiling of the Chess Smarter Water Catchment Citizen Science report, by Kate Heppell, Head of Landscape at the Chilterns National Landscape. The 60 page report captures and summarises the last 5 years of data collection in the Chess. Alongside the report is a leaflet outlining a number of ‘emerging contaminants of concern’ and with helpful suggestions about what individual can do as actions to help. Both are well worth a look! Find out more in future news posts.
Afternoon session
After a delightful lunch provided by Woodoaks Tea Shack, based in Rickmansworth. The afternoon session saw over 60 people, attend an walk to Meades Water Gardens in Chesham and Chesham Moor, with glorious sunshine to boot, it was fantastic to see so many interested to see first hand the River and hear about some of the restoration schemes recently delivered.
Many Thanks!
Thank you firstly to all those who have contributed to the Chess SWC so far, from organisations all the way through to individuals. Thank you to all the speakers for their enlightening talks, and thanks to all those who came to celebrate with us on Wednesday.
Final thanks goes to Thames Water, not only for the funding they have provided over the last 5 years, but also for the support in delivering and developing the projects that have flourished under the care of the Chess Partnership.
I look forward to seeing how we move forward into the next phase of project and welcoming the community and local stakeholders back again to hear how we are getting on.