Free training is on offer to volunteers and River Wardens who would like to help make a chalk stream sparkle again – and pick up new skills.

The River Ebble in Wiltshire, one of only around 200 chalk streams in the world, will be improved thanks to a £50,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the Chase & Chalke Landscape Partnership Scheme.

Working with land managers and communities, a series of surveys and educational projects will be launched encouraging volunteers, land managers and children to improve the quality of this special little waterway through the Chalke Valley. The Crystal Clear Ebble project aims to improve the health of this unique 22km chalk stream and the wildlife dependent on it.

Work will include improving the banks along a 15km stretch, conserve 12 key chalk stream flora and fauna, including wild brown trout and water crowfoot, and the chance for the local community, farmers and land managers to be trained in survey techniques and advised on best practice river management.

Wessex Rivers Trust, Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) South West and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust will manage the project with the Chase & Chalke Landscape Partnership Scheme team at Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Project officer for the Avon and Stour catchments at Wessex Rivers Trust Matt Irvine said: “There are only about 200 chalk streams in the world, and the Ebble is a beautiful example.”

Email rolandhughes@cranbornechase.org.uk.

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