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Stowmarket Environment Forum – 2 February 2021 Project Update River Valley Network and Stow Stories Presentation – Judith Thompson I am pleased to have this opportunity of updating everyone about 2 related projects - Rattlesden River Valley Network and Stow Stories In 2017 following a speculative building proposal on Tinkler’s Meadow a small field at the western gateway into I initiated RRVN and Stow Stories - both community projects to help protect this field from any development in the future. Tinklers Meadow sits at a pinch point within the designated Special Landscape Area known as the Rattlesden River Valley a green wild-life rich corridor where my husband and I are fortunate to live in a 9.5acre County Wildlife Woodland Site with the river as our southern boundary. This Network is informal and seeks to involve others. Early on we met with Jenny Cousins (MEAL Manager), Wildlife Trust, the University of Suffolk Conservation Professor of Environmental Toxicology, Environment Agency and Essex and Suffolk River Trust officers to seek guidance around conservation management and enhancement of land and river habitat. We raise public awareness of how rare this hidden gem is and collaborate with neighbours for example to eradicate invasive species such as Himalayan Balsam. A group of us collect data about species with records of Otter, Water Vole, Grass Snake, Stag Beetle, Hedgehog, Badger, Common Toad and Great Crested Newts living here. In lockdown 2020 we held 3 Mothfests trapping and identifying hundreds of moths. 425 different species were recorded including 2 moths on the nationally scarce category B list and 1 only found twice before in Suffolk since 1939. Records show 2020 was the wettest year since 2009. Recent trend shows increasingly wetter years 563.0mm in 2016 increasing to 663.0mm in 2020. This network will continue to take restoration action to help nature recover and thrive. We consider this site is worthy of a full ecological assessment and enhancement to become a Local Nature Reserve Stow Stories is supported by Suffolk Archives. Through research we delve into the history of Danecroft where I live and surrounding land use, and collect stories of people, places and events in the valley and town through time. Tinkler’s Meadow heritage connects to the early growth and prosperity of Stowmarket. Following the research phase, we will share findings in a creative way across the community – yet to be decided. Going forward both projects will support the biodiversity and climate change emergency recognising the environment we love is in crisis. We are reaching out to engage, inform, educate and help natures recovery and strive to keep Tinkler’s Meadow green forever as a highly valued local space. Thankyou

Below are articles written for Essex and Suffolk River Trust Newsletters

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Rattlesden River Valley Network (Stowmarket in the heart of Suffolk) Our Rat is not an unwelcome rodent! Protect - Preserve - Improve - Enhance the natural environment.

Our Rat is not an unwelcome rodent, rather the unassuming Rattlesden River which runs through Stowmarket including the 9.5-acre parcel of land we call ‘home’. This quietly, unassuming, slow-flowing, winding river set within a pastoral valley flood plain needs help. With the support of the ESRT and through working with landowners and other key partners we are on a mission to establish a Rattlesden River Valley Network to re-connect this river to residents and visitors for their enjoyment and well-being now, and to safeguard it for biodiversity and future generations.

• Protect this river valley as a green-fingered wildlife corridor with its mosaic of diverse habitats. • Preserve the Rattlesden River Valley landscape as a heritage asset valuing the influence of the river on the growth and prosperity of Stowmarket town. • Improve the river valley through sensitive management to control invasive species. • Enhance ecological, historical and recreational opportunities.

Our message is simple – effective teamwork makes a difference.

Enjoy our heart-warming story of an otter cub rescued on our land.

An otter cub was rescued on our land by the RSCPA then cared for at an otter Sanctuary in Devon. Two cubs became inseparable friends and both healthy animals were released on our river in late September 2019.

MAGIC!

190913 Otterly Magic 190315 .pdf

For more information email Judith Thompson [email protected]

December 2019

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Rattlesden River Valley Network (Stowmarket in the heart of Suffolk) A partnership with Stow Stories - A Journey of Memories and New Discoveries Protect - Preserve - Improve - Enhance the natural environment. Stow Stories is a Suffolk Archives’ Project, with the aim of collecting and sharing unique stories relating to the rivers and landscape in and around Stowmarket. This project along with the Rattlesden River Valley Network was initiated following objection to a speculative building application on Tinkler’s Meadow – a small field on the western edge of Stowmarket

In the Rattlesden Valley, there is evidence of pre-historic excavations, encampment by Danes on land known as Danecroft where meadows sloped down to the meanering river. Volunteer researchers are unearthing untold life-histories connecting Stowmarket to the wider world discovering land and rivers contributed to thriving manufacturing industries such as brickmaking, basketmaking, malt producion and farming.

Through Stow Stories we are raising awareness of the river valley’s rich heritage, special landscape area, mosaic of habitat and wide diversity of life, as yet not studied in great depth. Early in 2020 before this horrid virus took hold across the world, plans were in place to collaborate with the University of Suffolk and the Environment Agency through field work and research to identify species and improve understanding around the importance of managing and preserving rare environments. We look forward to moving this agenda forward. Meanwhile – exciting news - in the last month our neighbour, an experienced amateur lepidopterist, has found 2 small, insignificant looking micro moths’ dependant on specific food plants in the river valley near to Danecroft that so easily could have gone un-noticed. Elachista gangabella or Yellow-barred Dwarf is only the third example seen in Suffolk since 1939.

Epiblema turbudana or Butterbur Bell Moth has not been seen previously in Suffolk. and is nationally scarce category B.

Discovering both species demonstrates how our river valley is extra special. Many other endangered species and species in decline are evident here. Hedgehog, Otter, Water Vole, Toad, Stag Beetle and Barred Grass Snake to name a few.

Danecroft – Rattlesden River at Danecroft in Stowmarket - A Hidden Gem was filmed in 2020. Episode 1 -6 is available at Don Egan ‘Walks and Wanders’ YouTube Channel and website www.walksandwanders.com

For more information email Judith Thompson [email protected] July 2020 4

Rattlesden River Valley Network (Stowmarket in the heart of Suffolk) Lockdown Connections through 2020 Protect - Preserve - Improve - Enhance the natural environment.

During lockdown more people are connecting to nature. Footpaths in Stowmarket through the Danecroft woodland connect urban environment to open countryside passing through a peaceful wildlife haven in the heritage Rattlesden River Valley. This green corridor with its meandering river, continues to be the life blood for a myriad of wonderful wildlife species and has become a sanctuary for humans too.

Three ‘Mothfests’ took place in various locations near to the river at Tinkler’s Meadow on Danecroft land. This L-album Wainscot 18mm nationally scarce category B list, provides further evidence

connecting river habitat to protected UK species.

River and valley habitat management connects to rewilding and conservation. Sadly, our connections to conservation projects with the University of Suffolk and the Environment Agency have stalled for now. However, our commitment to connect with other landowners and coordinate vital riverside tasks such as eradicating Himalayan Balsam remains.

This green river corridor is in a flood plain. Normal water level and high flood within 48 hours (December 2020).

A new group of volunteers are sharing ideas through Stowmarket Town Council’s Environment Forum. They will support the implementation of Babergh District Council Biodiversity Action Plan which recognises the value of County Wildlife Sites and commits to improve protection of green corridors to help natures recovery and the climate change emergency.

Through the Stow Stories heritage project old friends meet on Danecroft river bridge to reminisce about their past adventures in town, the local landscape and wildlife in this river valley.

For more information email Judith Thompson [email protected] December 2020