FWAG lead walk along Ruscombe Brook

I've just taken this from my blog on Ruscombe Green:

What or who is FWAG? Well it is the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group and is the UK's leading independent and dedicated provider of environmental and conservation advice to farmers.

Photos: Chantal Brown from FWAG and below various photos from the walk

Well on Tuesday the Ruscombe Brook Action Group were fortunate enough to have Chantal Brown from FWAG join us on a walk along the brook. Local farmer Julia Currie had kindly organised the evening which was a chance to see what could be done to improve biodiversity along the brook. See also my previous blog on invasive species here - although the photos have since been removed - follow the links to the Plantlife website instead.

We also looked at various 'problem sites' along the brook. This photo left is of the fencing put in to reduce cattle poaching - see previous blog on this here - the problem has not been solved and it maybe that a water trough is the answer. The second photo left here is of clay exposed by the water rushing down the brook - there is a pipe which sends water at high pressure out - it has worn the bank away - is it the run-off from the Wheelers Walk estate? Previously RBAG members have put in gabions to prevent further erosion - it looks as if this cheap measure is working at least partly but further work is needed. This again is the subject of our next RBAG meeting along with possibilities of further attenuation of water up the valley.

We discovered an ash tree (left) that had come down that night - great shame - we tried to identify who was the landowner and we will look to alert them of the problem.We also saw further damage to the base of the pipe bridge (see photo) that was replaced some years ago - it is being worn away - not dangerous but not great!

Many issues were discussed. One was about the Himalayan Balsam threat to the valley - infact I've had it reported that someone is growing it in their garden despite being challenged - don't know where but we really do need to try and get it removed - it is a serious threat - see our press release here that we have just sent out.

This year is the UN's Biodiversity year - see my previous blog on that here - much is at risk but we can do lots to improve the situation. Infact our valley is pretty rich with largely organic methods by the farmers - however we can do more - Chantal pointed out that the brook is very dark and overshadowed much of the way - we could significantly improve water quality and the habitat for creatures like bats by opening it up a bit - bats are also at risk - see my blog here - they welcome some open water and coppicing some of the bank edges will improve light to the brook. Indeed bats seem to love the two ponds at Ruscombe Farm (see photo) - and live in the caves at the head of the valley - also going to Woodchester Mansion.

Anyway it looks like we are set to discuss at our next RBAG meeting how we can open the brook more with a work party later in the year - anyone interested in joining us??

We also wondered about whether a sewer pipe was leaking in the fields - see this photo - it has been reported to the Watercourse Warden but no reply yet. It needs checking.

Hamwell Leaze Boardwalk opens

Further along the brook the Broadwalk at Hamwell Leaze had just opened - see my movie here with a write up and photos about the opening. The press have also covered the story and if you look very carefully you can see I got into the photos of both SNJ and Stroud Life.

Exploding seeds threat to Ruscombe Brook

During our recent interesting walk along the Ruscombe Brook with the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group representative, Chantal Brown, members of the Ruscombe Brook Action Group were warned to look out for the invasive weed, Himalayan Balsam. This destructive weed is rapidly colonising river banks and other areas of damp ground.

In the light of this I did send a piece put together by a local resident. This is what they wrote:

"It is an annual plant which grows to about 2 metres with purplish-pink slipper shaped flowers in June–August. When the seed pods are mature, they explode when touched, scattering the seed up to 7 metres. Himalayan Balsam spreads rapidly, suppressing the growth of grasses and native British plants. Along river banks this leaves the banks bare of vegetation in autumn and winter and liable to erosion and flooding.

"Chantal advised that it should be pulled whilst in flower and before it has a chance to set seed, warning that many Gloucestershire river banks were becoming infested with the weed."

Ruscombe Brook Action Group are hoping to organise several work parties in the next few months to clear scrub and coppice trees along the banks of the brook. If you would like to get involved, contact me on 755451.

Brook AGM

Last week we had our Ruscombe Brook Action Group AGM which started with a walk around the Lake at the Lawns - we have split our annual walk along the brook into a couple of walks rather than doing all in one go as we have done in previous years.


Photos: Various pics of the Lake at The Lawns - for those who don't know where that is - and it would seem many are in that boat - it is behind the trees opposite Tricorn House.

Anyway a number of issues were raised re The Lawns including concerns about the silt building up again - but it was good to see the reeds had taken well. We will be talking to the Community Trust that manages the area. It is wonderful to see the area looking more looked after - it is a beautiful peaceful spot - you can follow the brook out through a small bit of woodland to where it joins the canal (see last couple of photos).

At the AGM I was elected again to be an Officer - we also caught up on several issues like Severn Trent flushing the sewage pipes - in previous years they have cut roots to stop the sewage problems - we are hoping this is sufficient and doesn't lead to a return to the dire problems of old. There was an also an update on some of our other projects and plans for our August meeting when we are very fortunate to have an advisor from the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group - she will walk some of the brook in the Ruscombe Valley and hopefully give us advice on how we can help improve biodiversity further.

This week we have the Stroud Valleys Water Forum meeting on Wednesday with Highways - a chance to raise a number of issues - no doubt more about that in a future blog.

FWAG join RBAG for brook walk

Chantal Brown from the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) will be joining us for our brook walk on 24th August. Chantal has particular expertise in environmental stewardship, habitat management, education and community projects and bats and butterflies and will be able to give us a brilliant insight into these areas as we walk along the brook.
The walk starts at 7pm on 24th August at Puckshole.

Brook group meets

Philip reports on meeting last night:

The Ruscombe Brook Action Group still meets every month - we have our AGM next month and will be looking for new members and supporters to keep us going - much has been achieved (see point three here).

Photo: head of Ruscombe valley where brook starts

This last week in addition to the usual business we had a fascinating talk and discussion led by Simon Charter about viewing the brook as an organism. There are a number of levels at which we might do this and it helped us view the brook (or indeed any other water system) in a different light.

I do find fascinating such discussions - we've had some in the past - like the Mysteries of water - see here - indeed science seems to be waking up to the qualities of water - see "The strangest liquid: Why water is so weird". This new scientist article says: "The implications of this finding are dramatic: it suggests that a total rethink of the structure of water is needed." Available here - but enough of that for now....

Other issues discussed included:
- Watercourse Wardens and we were joined by Whiteshill and Ruscombe warden, Greg Dance for the first time
- Puckshole: Phase I: new culvert – working well with regular clearing out of trash screen every other month. Need to continue monitoring effectiveness. Phase II: we still need to make progress with the Wheeler’s Walk run-off and see if there are ways the force of the flow from Wheeler’s Walk can be reduced to lessen the erosion to the banks of the brook.
- Severn Trent: we were delighted to hear that sewer root cutting will commence in the next few weeks, but no news on further plans (see discussion here).
- I fed back on the meeting of the Stroud Valleys Water Forum re the canal - see here. Next meeting of the forum is on 21st July at 7.30pm in the Committee Room at Ebley Mill. Tony Parsons from Gloucestershire County Council Highways Department will hopefully give a talk. If anyone interested do contact me first.
- We also discussed the ongoing work of the group: agreed that there is keen interest in the group and that our work should continue. Group will next meet in July and include a walk around The Lawns to see progress there..
- Lastly we are planning another brook walk: possibly 24th August at 7pm.

Quick update

Philip Booth's blog Ruscombe Green has been covering a few of the latest updates - see here an update regarding issues like Wheelers Walk, Watercourse Wardens, Puckshole and more - and see here re the Stroud Valleys Water Forum meeting about the canal and flooding issues.

Photo: from presentation re canal showing impact of Ruscombe Brook on water flows.

Also Philip has spoken to two Parish Council AGM's about the brook - see here. The next brook meeting is Tuesday 8th June - call for details.

Sewage problems discussed!

Don't read this article at meal times! This article below was sent to the Randwick Runner last week to update folk as we had a great meeting of the Stroud Valleys Water Forum where we were able to ask many questions of Severn Trent.

Photos: from RBAG meeting and Water Forum meeting with Severn Trent

The Ruscombe Brook Action Group also met the night before to pull together questions and issues (see photo). We are also looking at the next phase for Puckshole and plans for Hamwell Leaze and The Lawns - see previous blog on this.

Other issues we managed to raise with Severn Trent at that meeting include a request for:
- more info re planned works,
- issues around new developments in the area,
- Severn Trent to set up a Customer liaison panel like Wessex Water so that we can have input and feedback from the company,
- them to extend their tariffs to include an Assist tariff that is best for those in financial difficulties (they already have many measures incl their ST Trust Fund but this would be a step further).

Anyway to that article:

Many will know that about five years ago there were well over 20 incidents of raw sewage getting into the Ruscombe Brook including the Randwick tributary. This was mainly due to the sewers surcharging usually during heavy rain. Since then the Ruscombe Brook Action Group (RBAG) have been meeting monthly and incidents have been reduced to a couple a year.

There have been many successes and actions along the way including improvements along key sites of the brook, clear-ups of rubbish and furniture in the brook, work with schools, sorting out misconnections where for example a washing machine had been discharging directly into the brook, a replacement of a pipe bridge, distributing several hundred fat traps to raise awareness about blockages, working to develop a flood catchment strategy for the whole Five Valleys and this December the fitting of a 13k new grill and culvert at Puckshole to reduce flooding. When we met with Severn Trent all that long ago they originally denied there was a problem. Since then we have come along way and they have now done extensive CCTV, flow monitoring, a manhole survey, developed a hydraulic model and much more along the sewer system.

Last week we met again with Severn Trent at Ebley Mill and the year old Stroud Valleys Water Forum. John O' Leary (pictured second from right) from Severn Trent gave us a comprehensive presentation of plans for the area including the huge works at Slad and Cashes Green. At those sites vast pipes will store 180 cubic meters of sewage during heavy rain then discharge slowly into the sewers when flows have reduced. This will hopefully stop the handful of properties in the area from getting sewage in their homes.

John was also very honest about the problems and challenges. Severn Trent now admit there are large sections of our sewer networks that are inadequate. In recent years the water company has, each year, cut tree roots that grow into the sewer pipes in the Ruscombe Valley and Randwick and down the sewers to The Lake at The Lawns opposite Tricorn House. These roots cause blockages which can lead to the surcharges and blown manhole covers...and plenty of not very pleasant stuff in our fields and gardens. Indeed on one occasion we picked up two buckets of sanitary ware alone!

Relining does not appear to be an option as the pipes are not large enough, so a proposal is being submitted for specialised 'pipe bursting' that will lead to replacement of sewer sections. However this is an expensive option as much of the sewer network is inaccessible to the 40 tonne truck they usually use. There are also hydraulic issues and other challenges. So we need to now wait to hear whether the plans are accepted and what level of priority the capital works will get.

While I am delighted the problems have been clearly accepted and documented I am concerned that we will now have to wait a long time. Severn Trent's recent determination by OFWAT means they will have to cut staff. This is not good, but we will have to see what this will mean in practice. We understand priority must be given to people that face raw sewage in their homes but equally we need to address this issue which leaves us open to sewage incidents.

RBAG have a number of projects that we are working on and will continue to push for improvements. We would welcome new members or anyone interested in learning more.

Cllr Philip Booth, Ruscombe Brook Action Group