Completed Projects
Two projects have now been completed by the Trust. One on the River Crake and the second on Low Cunsey Beck. A brief summary of both projects is given below:
River Crake
TheTrust raised a project with the Department for Food Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for the River Crake, between Penny Bridge and Greenodd Bridge. The aim of the project was to protect both banks of the river and a length of feeder beck from poaching and enrichment by cattle, and from erosion. The complementary aim with this was to kick-start the colonisation of this area by insects and small mammals, by providing some tree cover.
The project was in four phases:
Two projects have now been completed by the Trust. One on the River Crake and the second on Low Cunsey Beck. A brief summary of both projects is given below:
River Crake
TheTrust raised a project with the Department for Food Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for the River Crake, between Penny Bridge and Greenodd Bridge. The aim of the project was to protect both banks of the river and a length of feeder beck from poaching and enrichment by cattle, and from erosion. The complementary aim with this was to kick-
The project was in four phases:
1) Initial clearance of redundant fencing and scrub along the new fence lines.
2) Install ~ 1500 metres of stock proof fencing with a drinking race in each field.
3) Plant the banks with a mix of native broadleaf trees. (Common alder, goat willow, silver birch, rowan and poplars were the species chosen.)
4) Install a willow/hazel wattle revetment on the outside of the most eroded bend.
All the grant funded work -
The fencing work was given to a local contractor Thomas Kikbride, who has done a superb job, and Phases 1, 3, & 4 (in anticipation) are the output of volunteer effort. A big thank you to Alan Hind (Project Manager), Ken Atkinson, Graham Robinson, Paul and Johanna Casson, and Chris Potts, without whose efforts it would not have been possible.
The accompanying photographs are by courtesy of Johanna. For further pictures of the work click here.
The river before work started - showing severe erosion.
Fencing a bridge parapet on the ‘Surgery’ feeder beck.
Low Cunsey Beck
Low Cunsey Beck flows out of Esthwaite into Windermere and historically it was used by both brown trout and sea trout for spawning. However, there has been little fish life in the beck in recent years. This fencing project was identified by the Environment Agency and sponsored by DEFRA and SCRT, who managed the work through volunteers. Please click here for a further selection of before and after photographs.
Low Cunsey Beck flows out of Esthwaite into Windermere and historically it was used by both brown trout and sea trout for spawning. However, there has been little fish life in the beck in recent years. This fencing project was identified by the Environment Agency and sponsored by DEFRA and SCRT, who managed the work through volunteers. Please click here for a further selection of before and after photographs.
The beck before work started showing erosion and cattle poaching.
An example of the completed fencing work.