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National Libraries Day in Kent t i u
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K flows through the village of Loose, and Background on the Middle a n y i medieval queens, a palace used by of it Medway catchment Bough Beech Reservoir was constructed Henry VIII and during the 1930’s it was joins the Medway at Tovil. It has the in the early 1970’s, and like many of a playground for the rich and famous, reputation for the highest concentration its kind is fed by streams which pass as Lady Baillie, the last private owner, of watermills in Kent with 14 once The Middle Medway catchment consists of the through nearby farms. Whilst the present along the five and a half mile tributaries of the River Medway navigation from entertained high society down from farmer follows best practice, a survey of London for the weekends. stretch. The majority of these mills were Allington Lock in Maidstone to Tonbridge. The pesticide filling facilities showed that the Middle used to produce paper with the volume area includes 20 water courses. The River Medway current un-contained area carried a high of water and the proximity to Maidstone and its tributaries largely flow through rural areas degree of risk to drinking water supplies. town centre providing ideal situation Medway for the production of paper from the interspersed with some urban conurbations namely The solution was to enter into a joint mills. Mills were a feature of many rivers project with the water company wherein Maidstone and Tonbridge. and streams in the Middle Medway Catchment Sensitive Farming Capital Catchment Catchment and still leave relics of this Grants would part fund a new bunded The River Medway and its tributaries have played long ceased industry today. pesticide handling area. The farmer, his an extensive role in industry over the years. Mill, son and the water company are very turbines and water wheels have provided power for happy with the new system, and the a number of industries including the production of significant risk to drinking water has textile, paper, milled corn and smelt iron. There are been reduced. reportedly over 200 sites in the area where these type of industry are known to have existed, but today only one working mill exists.
Although no longer used, some of the weir structures still exist and have left major barriers to fish migration, as well as changing the shape and flow of the water bodies. Other issues include elevated levels of pollutants as a result of waste water treatment works outfalls, unsympathetic farming practices, and the general pressures of urban areas.
In their present state improvements must be made to many of the water courses in order to make them the best they can be for wildlife and people. For this to be achieved it will be essential to pull together as many project partners as possible to share ideas al Lib n ra and skills. io r t i e
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Wildlife n a
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Recreationt N
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D of waterfowl and woodpeckers, all are Local Authorityt
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a through the borough of Maidstone with n y i of it spawn in the quiet shallows whilst grass Mote Park. Over the years, the decline Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) the snakes can be regularly viewed sunning in these streams has been marked due main Local Authority. themselves on the banks. A wide to increased use of the river leading to Working collaboratively with the variety of fish inhabit the stream and a number of issues which have affected Environment Agency and local ponds. The Loose Valley Conservation the fisheries. Clubs look forward to conservation groups, MBC are Area Partnership work closely with the aiding the return of the Len to its former committed to managing and restoring Environment Agency to protect and healthy state. their water courses adhering to best enhance the countryside in and around practice for wildlife and flood defence. the Loose Stream. This includes river MBC fully support a river restoration restoration and habitat improvement project on the Len and will be works. part of the consultation process.