January 2010

Dear Supporter

 

 The RACS Annual General Meeting will be held at 7:30 pm on Monday 22^nd February at the Free Church Hall in Henfield . The hall is situated on the corner as you turn up to the car park on the east side of Henfield High Street. The local historian Dr. Peter Brandon will be giving a talk on the history of the River Adur.  All are welcome.

 

 Last year’s AGM was well attended with more than 30 people in the audience. The Chairman, John Whiting, opened proceedings by giving details about the progress made during the year. This was followed by Fran Southgate of the Sussex Wildlife Trust who gave a presentation on the project work carried out by RACS. After the meeting Mike Russell gave a very informative talk entitled ‘Your River Adur’.

 

 We have held a number of work parties on the Knepp Castle Estate. There was a Knepp Castle Volunteer Day in May which gave RACS members the opportunity to meet and work with other conservation organisations. Our efforts were rewarded with a sumptuous picnic! There are more work parties planned for 2010. The Knepp Castle Estate are very concerned about the proposal to use derelict pits at Laybrook , upstream of Knepp, as a landfill site . RACS is also totally opposed to the proposed scheme and have made representations to West Sussex County Council.

 

 In the summer, RACS became a member of the Association of Rivers Trusts (ART). This will enable RACS to work more closely with organisations such as the Environment Agency (EA) and clarify the involvement of RACS in future joint projects. An example of such a project is the European WATER (Wetlands: the Assessment, Techniques and Economics of Restoration) project where we are working in partnership with the Sussex Ouse Conservation Society (SOCS). Dave Brown will give more details at the AGM. This is an exciting new development which will enable the trust to carry out significant projects over the next year or so.

 

 The membership has increased during the year. This has helped to improve our bank balance and we should be in a position to invest in water testing equipment. New members are always welcome. The membership ship fee is £15 for individuals and £25 for a husband and wife.

 

 Any articles about the Adur which can be published on the website would be much appreciated . We can be contacted at info@sussex-adur.co.uk

 

 Best wishes for 2010.    

 

 

                 Chris Batey ( Secretary )