29th September 2009

Celebrating the Big 30!   

Back in 1979 the Blackwater Valley was a blot on the landscape. The forgotten edge of Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire with a heavily polluted river, it was a no man’s land of rubbish tips and gravel pits, of breaker’s yards and brambles. But 30 years later the Valley is now a green corridor, an area to be proud of boasting a 23-mile riverside path, numerous country parks and nature reserves plus a host of recreational facilities.

The story of the Valley’s improvement features in a special issue of the Blackwater Valley News. Produced by the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership, the organisation established 30 years ago to oversee the changes, it features articles by many of the people closely involved with the work. 

To mark the 30th anniversary staff from the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership took a special anniversary “road show” to fairs, shows and events throughout the area over the summer. Designed to inform and educate local people about the BVCP whilst developing the interest of children to wildlife, the road show was a huge success with thousands of special promotional postcards being distributed.

The final event on the calendar is an exhibition called Tales of the River Bank looking at the history and natural history of the Blackwater Valley and showing how man’s activity has helped to shape the riparian environment. This opens at Surrey Heath Museum, Knoll Road, Camberley GU15 3HD on 24th October and will run through to 16th January 2010.

If you would like to feature anything from our newsletter or run a special article about the 30 years of the BVCP please get in touch. 

BV Special Newsletter >>>

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For more information contact :
Christine Reeves on 01252 331353. 
BVCP, Ash Lock Cottage, Government Road, Aldershot GU11 2PS