Page 44 - link magazine

44 swindonlink.com • January 2008
Fish given the freedom of the River Ray
For the first time in years, fish in Swindon's River Ray are able to navigate the full length of the river thanks to a fish pass installed at the
weir pool near the Great Western Way at Rivermead.
The work is the final stage of the roam the river. We often saw them canal has been opened up to light, wildflowers.
River Ray Restoration Project run congregating in the aerated water wildlife and people, with meanders The project has been a partner-
by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, which of the pool. By opening the river put back in the river channel along ship between the Wiltshire Wildlife
has seen the river returned to a up, we are also providing wider with pools, riffles and backwaters. Trust and its funders the Environ-
more natural state, encouraging hunting grounds for birds such as There is now a river beach and the ment Agency, Sitatrust, Biffaward
wildlife to return and reconnect- herons and kingfishers that feed on floodplainhasbeenreplanted with and Swindon Council.
ing people with the nature on their the fish. And as the invertebrates at The quiet backzcat r ju-t i..'.i from the rush o f the Great Western Wray
•
doorsteps. thebottom of the food chain spread
Neil Pullen, the Trust's Swindon out, we should see more and more j
Wildlife Project Officer, said an wildlife returning."
eighteen inch difference in levels Anybody who walks or cycles the '' . * ' " .1
had prevented fish from swimming footpathbetween Westlea and Barn- I
upstream. "We've opened up the field will see the dramatic changes ` { p^1
whole habitat above the weir so that in the landscape around River Ray.
the Ray s nine species of fish can What used to he no more than a > .rF

ARISMA
BLINDS

rainbow of colours to brig
#Up our home this Winter'. Learn how to turn waste into black gold
y
Swindon's new team of ambassadors are more likely to be found at the
arisma Blinds - the place for quality and value
bottom of the garden than at diplomatic receptions at an embassy.
Manufacturers and suppliers of all types of blinds Over thirty compost ambassadors have been trained by Wiltshire
Full fitting service or cash and carry Wildlife Trust to spread the word about the art of converting household
Factory showroom open Monday to Thursday 9.30am - 5.30pm waste into black gold for the garden. The scheme was officially launched
Friday 9.30am - 5pm, Saturday 10am - 4pm at a training day held at Lower Shaw Farm in December.
"The ambassadors all share the same passion for composting and it's
BSS House, Cheney Manor Ind. Est.. Swindon. Tel: 01793 434584
this enthusiasm that can rea lly help encourage others to follow suit,"
said WWT Waste Prevention Officer, Kate Robinson.
Composting is a simple way of reducing your carbon foot print as half
llOMt CIIt} S Ali of the contents of the average household waste bin can be used to make
compost rather than go to landfill and contribute harmful greenhouse
gases like methane to the atmosphere."
Have an ambassador pop round to help get you started by going to:
CARPETS www.wiltshirewildlife.org

Pupils create a nova garden
See the carpet or floor Youngsters from Nova Hreod School put in a couple of days hard graft
covering of your choice, outside the classroom in December to give the garden at Bluebells
where it will be laid, next r... Residential Home in Moredon a makeover.
to your other furnishings. .'
Appointments to suit you: -
day, evening or weekend. _
Home Choose Carpets
has over 30 year's experience
of serving customers in the
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Estimating is free. Luxury
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ire _ . - _^,NES 70 Y ;^
MOMF CHOOSE a s
F
0 i - CARpE13 'eis o°. tr''
°+tenor."
Before the practical work the members of the school's Prince's Trust
XL group planned the project and applied for a lottery grant to buy
rir Wi & .. rRfVOR SA[ materials and plants.
New gardener Mark Jones said, "it's the hardest I've worked in a long
__
J time. I think the old people will be pleased. We hope to come back when
all the bulbs come up."