RESIDENTS of the Forest and Wye Valley came together in Monmouth last week to show solidarity in their opposition to the continued pollution of the River Wye.

Organised by local environmental group Friends of the Lower Wye, the first ‘Wye July’ event was a vibrant affair featuring local music, poetry, storytelling and food, alongside a host of information stalls and impassioned speeches from local river activists.

The day was organised to raise awareness of the need for action with the quality of the river having declined significantly in the last five years.

The event kicked off with a thought-provoking procession through the town centre, which featured images of endangered species drowning in the water and a colourful ‘Algae Monster’, which was covered in debris found in the river.

Leading the procession was the Forest of Dean Extinction Rebellion Samba Band joined by bands from other areas, and out front was a “wonderful” ‘Save the Wye’ banner printed by volunteers, under the guidance of Nic Gough of Drybrook.

The Drybrook-made ‘Save the Wye’ banner at the head of the procession (Emma Drabble)

The ‘Algae Monster’, which was made with the “help and inspiration” of members of Brockweir Youth Club, was paraded down the High Street to the Monnow Bridge.

Then at Lower Green, there were musicians performing, poetry, a singing workshop from local musician Kirsty Abraham and a “wonderful” story told about the algae monster, written and illustrated by Fiona Frank.

FOLW
Locals browse the stalls of Wye Valley produce at Lower Green (Friends of Lower Wye)

“Wylde woman of the river” Angela Jones gave a rousing speech, encouraging people to act now to save the river, while the Forest Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency Chris McFarling also attended.

Amongst the many stallholders on the green was Foresters Against Fowling (FAF), which was formed late last year by concerned Foresters to draw attention to the impact of intensive poultry units (IPUs) on both the Forest and Wye Valley.

IPUs frequently create a run-off of nitrates and phosphates from manure, which causes poisonous algal blooms to form in the river.

At the event, the FAF stall offered meat and egg-free savoury food and cakes to taste, which received “particular appreciation”.

The group said the idea behind the food was to promote the concept that “life is possible, and indeed very enjoyable” without chicken and eggs, and that while both can be enjoyed “in moderation”, they should “rightly” come at a higher price.

FAF
Catherine Musk of Foresters Against Fowling was on hand to share information about intensive poultry farming (Friends of the Lower Wye )

Also manning a stall was Nick Day of Friends of the Lower Wye to raise awareness of the importance of citizen science, with more volunteers needed to test the river regularly for phosphates and other pollution.

Nick was on hand to demonstrate the water testing equipment and tell people how they could get involved.

Circulating around the event was a statement addressed to local councillors and MPs, outlining the opposition of signatories to intensive poultry farming in the Wye Catchment and demanding the refusal of future planning applications for IPUs.

The statement received more than 100 signatures in just a few hours at the event, which FAF says demonstrates “the strong feelings” held by local residents.

Group member Catherine Musk said: “It was apparent that, like the Councils which give planning permission to these poultry units, the majority of the public are unaware of the creeping industrialisation of our countryside.

“People were shocked when they saw the state of the inside of these big industrial sheds, seeing the slimy green algae covering the river, and seeing the damage to the trees caused by the ammonia pollution.”

Anyone looking to get involved in volunteering with Friends of the Lower Wye should email [email protected].