Rivers & Brooks Project
Are you concerned about sewage overflows and pharmaceutical pollution in Tideswell Brook? The latest figures from Severn Trent Water show that untreated sewage was permitted to overflow into Tideswell Brook on 68 separate occasions last year, for a total of 772 hours.
The Rivers & Brooks Group has been lobbying the government to change pollution regulations and better hold our water companies to account. You can read more on our website – tdeg.org.uk/rivers-and-brooks-group.
But we can all help to protect our local brook by reducing pressures on the sewerage system and helping to prevent blockages and surface flooding. Actions we should all take include:
- Only flush the 3 Ps (pee, poo and paper) down your toilet;
- Never pour fats, oil or toxic substances down drains;
- Return all unwanted medicines to the pharmacy;
- Use fewer household chemicals and choose eco-friendly ones where possible;
- Choose flea tablets for your dogs, not spot-on flea treatments. Avoid letting them play in waterways.
TDEG will keep up pressure on the government and the water companies to address these issues. But together, we can also make a difference to our local brooks and rivers.
International Repair Day
On 17 October, we are celebrating International Repair Day at the Repair Café in Tideswell Community Hall. This day is part of a worldwide movement to promote repairability being designed into manufacture and help reintroduce repair businesses. And it demonstrates how the Tideswell Repair Café is part of a much larger, global network.
Dates for your Diary
Library of Things – Wednesdays, 4:30pm – 6:30pm. Saturdays, 8:30am – 10:30am. Find us at the Sports Pavilion, Tideswell Community Park (next to Bishop Pursglove School). More information on our website – tdeg.org.uk/library-of-things.
Litter-pick – on Sunday 27 September. Meet at 2pm, outside the Co-op in the Pot Market. High vis and litter pickers provided. Come for a gentle walk with friends, collecting litter as you go. Everyone welcome (under 16s must be accompanied by an adult).
Tideswell Repair Café – Saturdays, 17 October and 21 November, 10am–1pm (please bring any items before 12.30pm), at Tideswell Community Hall. Refreshments available. Our Seed Swap team will also be at the Repair Café events. Now is an ideal time to be saving viable seeds from your gardens and bringing them along to the Seed Swap for sharing. More information on our website – tdeg.org.uk/tideswell-district-repair-cafe.
TDEG whole group meeting – “Pharmaceuticals in the Environment” – a presentation by Baroness Natalie Bennett (ex-Green Party leader and Member of the House of Lords) – 7.30pm, Tuesday 1 December, in Fountain Square Church, Tideswell. Everyone welcome.
Natalie Bennett believes that human, animal and environmental health are all interdependent. She is a keen supporter of grass roots campaigns and immediately offered to talk in Tideswell on hearing about our campaign to improve the health of Tideswell Brook and the River Wye. Natalie has expertise in pharmaceutical pollutants, so we look forward to her talk on 1 December.