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Jun 2024
River Ure clean-up group begins to take shape
A group hoping to improve the water quality of the River Ure is beginning to take shape.
The first Health of the River Ure meeting was organised by the Association of Rural Communities in April, with the aim of finding ways to reduce pollution.
Pip Pointon, the association's administrative officer, told the Stray Ferret the meeting aimed to gauge concerns about the river and find out what people feel should be done to improve water quality.
The high level of interest prompted a group of people to express an interest in forming a group similar to Nidd Action Group, which is campaigning to improve the River Nidd.
At a follow-up Ure meeting last week, six people agreed to form a committee to take matters forward. Another 35 people also offered to assist with water sampling from Appersett to Ripon.
The first Health of the River Ure meeting. Credit: Pip's Patch
Attendees of the recent meeting heard from David Clayden, chair of Nidd Action Group, about how the group was formed and the work it has done since, as well as from the Save our Swale group.
The group is still looking for volunteers to work towards improving the water quality of the River Ure.
Ms Pointon said another meeting will be held next week with the aim of officially forming the group.
She told the Stray Ferret the group does not have a name yet and people will be able to vote on one at the next meeting.
People can choose just to support the group or assist as volunteers, particularly with water sampling, she added.
Representatives of Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust and Yorkshire Water’s river health improvement manager will attend the meeting.
The Association of Rural Communities said there was “considerable concern” about ageing treatment plants along the river that may not be able to cope with the amount of sewage that is pumped through.
People also felt local authorities should be “more proactive” in protecting the rivers from pollution, the group added.
The next Health of the River Ure meeting will be held at Leyburn Methodist Church Hall at 6pm on Tuesday, June 25.
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