The importance of waterways was celebrated by a group of West Norfolk residents on World Rivers Day.
They gathered at King’s Lynn’s South Quay to share poems, songs and stories dedicated to the world’s rivers.
Organisers Extinction Rebellion said it was both a celebration and a call to care for local rivers especially the Gaywood River which is one of only 200 chalk streams in the world.
“Typically chalk streams crystal clear water bubbles up through chalk, their gentle flow allow plants and wildlife, to flourish.” said Jenny Walker, one of the organisers. “Sadly the Gaywood River, that flows from a chalk ridge near Gayton to King’s Lynn, does not match this description. It is polluted by sewage and chemical run off from fields. Going back in time, the lower reaches of the river have been straightened which destroys wild life habitats and increases the risk of flooding.”
The group pointed to practical steps which they feel could could help revive the Gaywood River including stopping redging, holding Anglian Water accountable for sewage releases, and encouraging landowners to create buffer strips of permanent vegetation along waterways.
