Cirencester Waterways: Environment and People Interim Report
The Cirencester Waterways: Environment and People Symposium was held on June 12th 2024 at the Royal Agricultural University. The aim of the symposium was to engage a diverse group of stakeholders, raise awareness and promote discussion of flood risk, low flow and drought issues in the Churn catchment, with a focus on Nature-Based Solutions in the upper Churn catchment above Cirencester. The symposium was opened by Richard Mullings, the Symposium Facilitator with welcome addresses from Dr Kelly Hemmings, Associate Professor
in Ecology and Agro-ecosystems and the Revd. Dr Nicholas Henderson, The Friends of Gumstool Brook. The round up address was given by Andrew Tubb, CEO of Cirencester Town Council.
Throughout the symposium there was an opportunity for attendees to participate in a Q&A and panel discussion hosted by Professor Chris Short, University of Gloucestershire; as well as populating maps with local knowledge.
The interim report provides an overview of the symposium outlining a range of issues and opportunities along with a proposed way forward; the report is published by Cirencester Town Council for and on behalf of the organisations involved in co-ordinating the symposium.
In June, the Town Council was involved with organising an event to discuss the role of nature-based solutions in mitigating flood and low flow, and the management of our local waterways to benefit communities, landowners, wildlife and the environment.
We brought together experts and stakeholders as well as the local community to engage in meaningful discussion and plan action for the future. There were three key themes
(1) Scene Setting in the Upper Churn Catchment,
(2) Mechanics of Nature Based Solutions, and
(3) Rural and Urban Perspectives.
During breakout sessions and plenary feedback, we discussed community engagement, addressing low and high flow, creating effective partnerships to deliver nature based solutions, habitat and biodiversity, and funding opportunities.
Moving forward, if you have any information, data, evidence or resources you’d like to share please contact Natalie Reynolds, Land, Property and Projects Manager at natalie@cirencester.gov.uk
We are going to collate all the evidence and prepare an interim report, providing a detailed overview of the symposium, outlining the data and sharing initial projects ideas; we hope to be able to circulate this report soon. This will be followed by a final report and formal recommendations which we hope to publish in late September/early October.
We would like to thank everyone involved with the event, in seeking to make a tangible difference for the people and place of Cirencester and our neighbouring parishes.