41 WATER: THE BIG QUESTIONS By Cllr Richard Pavi Two issues have pushed water on to the Government’s agenda. One is polluon of the nation’s rivers and the failure of the Environment Agency to prevent this; the other concern is a serious shortage of water in the east of England. This is evident locally where our rivers are being robbed of their flow due to over-abstracon of the Chalk aquifer. This raises environmental concerns and a big question over the future resilience of our water supply. Before you wonder, this is not a funcon of lack of rainfall. The mean rainfall around the Essex/Cambs border has not changed significantly for the past 60 years. The problem is enrely man-made, resulng from population expansion and over-development in the south east of England. However medium-longer term climate change could trigger drought conditions. The north of Ulesford sits above a Chalk aquifer that stretches in a narrow arc from Wiltshire through the Thames Basin to north Norfolk and the east coast. For thousands of years this aquifer has produced alkaline water of great purity and near constant temperature year round. The resulng Chalk streams support a unique biodiversity; but for the past 40 years this has been badly neglected by those responsible for protecng our environment, principally the EA. This is all more unforgiveable when you consider that most of the world’s 200 or so remaining chalk streams are in England. Ecologically, they are our rain forests, our unique contribution to global ecology. Chalk streams are highly sensive and in our area suffer a double whammy: lack of water + polluon. The flow of the river Cam, which rises near Debden, is at its lowest since records began 70 years ago. With so little water volume the effects of pollution are massively magnified, making it a hosle environment for the fish, invertebrates, water voles and kingfishers that would normally populate a healthy chalk stream. For much of the year the Cam has almost no natural spring-fed flow. In the summer, the river-bed is dry from its source unl it reaches the sewage treatment works at Newport where recycled oulow provides most of the water you see in the river. Wenden Brook suffers much the same fate. It is dry before Wendens Ambo and what reaches the Cam is the product of 40 1 soakaways and licensed industrial oulows (*note). Historically these rivers would have had a proper flow and any polluon quickly diluted and washed away. We – that is myself and fellow district councillor, Neil Gregory – are leading a campaign to get Uttlesford’s water supply and rivers situaon taken seriously. In July our moon at council was unanimously passed, reversing years of complacency. Recently, we proposed the creaon of CURAT (Cam Upper Reaches Acon Team) to lead a hands-on effort to improve the condion of the river as it flows through Ulesford. You are welcome to join. Details at Curat.org.uk. On 21st July 2020 UDC Councillors unanimously voted in favour of a cross- party moon to protect the rivers of Ulesford for future generaons. When presenng the motion Cllr Richard Pavitt, deputy chair of the Climate Change & Ecology Working Group, said the underground Chalk aquifer feeding the district’s rivers is being over-exploited to supply housing development in Cambridgeshire and Ulesford. “As a consequence river levels are crically low and this will get worse as climate change reduces rainfall in a region that is already water stressed.” The moon calls on the Environment Agency to take acon to avoid the loss of important river habitats; and requires the Council to introduce policies to protect the district’s rivers and make new homes more water efficient. CURAT is a group of volunteers passionate about saving and restoring the upper reaches of the Cam as it winds through historic villages and meadows. * note: We have asked the Environment Agency to look into the poor condion of the brook and will report back in the next edion of this magazine. 2 39 38 3 4 37 Have you seen the development on The Croat? Have you seen what’s new on The Croat? Will it cause traffic problems? The answer is new The Bug Hotel; the answer to the second queson should be ‘no’. We may not actually see any of the residents of this hotel arriving or deparng as this is a very private and discreet hotel. The lower floor should hopefully encourage hedgehogs to enjoy the warmth and ambience of the fallen leaves. The next two floors are open for all types of residents: there are pinecones, teasels, stones, and layers of scks, so the prospective customers can take their pick. Behind the hotel one will not find the kitchen dustbins but a pile of small branches for the wood lice and other wood loving bugs. Rather than a penthouse floor or an alpine roof line there is an eco- friendly green roof. Some small perennials have been planted there and, fingers crossed, next year some wildflowers will show themselves and encourage more visitors. The first visitors to this brand new five-star venue have been pea bugs and lady birds. Although located in the village of Wendens Ambo, the bar at this hotel is non-alcoholic!!! This locaon is designed to cater for creatures with a preference for a five- star standard and, we trust, the hotel is to their sasfacon. We look forward to return visits year on year. Thanks to Jill Porter, the Wendens Ambo PCC, Bob Stewart, James Cazenove, Sam Slota-Newson, Kate Butcher, Tenzin, and TKE for the lining of the green roof area. 36 5 6 35 34 7 8 33 32 9 10 31 30 11 Clergy and Others Team Rector: posion vacant Team Vicar : Rev. Alex Jeewan, The Vicarage, Great Chesterford 531153 [email protected] www.camvillages.org.uk Priest with responsibility for Wendens Ambo: Rev. Tim Hardingham, Steading, Royston Road, Wendens Ambo 542874 [email protected] www.wendenheritage.org.uk Parish Office: Open: Mon-Fri, 9.30 am to noon 506024 office@stmaryssaffronwalden.org WENDENS AMBO Churchwarden: Ms Sue Watson, Kellers, Duck Street 218309 Mrs Zoe Forster, 29 Carters Hill, Manuden 07708 497117 Treasurer: Dr Robert Wilson, Kellers, Duck Street 218309 PCC Secretary: Mr Denis Dunstone, Wenden Place Farm 541595 Mothers’ Union: Mrs E. J. Newbold, The Crockern, Royston Rd 540386 Bellringing: Mr David Kent, The Outspan 540105 LITTLEBURY Churchwarden: vacant Fabric Officer: Mrs Camilla Lethbridge, Granta House, 522191 Treasurer: Mrs J Loughran, 13 Spencer Road, Great Chesterford 530963 PCC Secretary: Mrs Claire Durrant, Kents Farm, 510728 Lilebury Ladies: Mrs Jo Hancock, Northfield House, Roman Way 520469 Bellringing: Mrs Isabelle Page, The Gatehouse, 529089 Ulesford Local History Recorders: Mr Marn Rose, Lilebury and Strethall 524215 Ms Sue Watson, Wendens Ambo 218309 LITTLEBURY GREEN Joint Mrs Rose Johnson, Briarwood, Lilebury Green 01763 838275 Pro-Warden: Mrs. Pam Waters, Merrydown, Lilebury Green 12 29 There were lots of winners in the various Fruit, Veg, Floristry, making and baking classes including William and Catherine Love, Jo Willmo, Gemma Sturges, Clare, Mark, Edward and Emma Samson, Oliver, Chloe, Lucy and James Cazenove, John and Marion Macdonald, Liz and Annie Hartley, Diana Healey, Sam Slota Newson, Geoff and Sue Curs, Kaye and Violet Mason, Sarah Moffa, Bill and Pat Arnold, Marion Lindsell, Anne Dunstone, Jasper Fraser, Felix and Pippa Butterworth and Sue Watson. Refreshments were enjoyed. The burgers and the hot dogs were devoured. The pin of Wherry beer was drunk dry. The soft drinks and wine were refreshing and popular. To round off the day, a well-supported raffle took place with everyone eagerly awaing the draw. In fact, two took place – one for the children and one for the adults. There were lots of winners and no losers. WAS, the event supporters, displayed the photographs from the summer’s photographic compeon and the winners received their well-deserved prizes. We have some fabulous photographers in our midst. We are a blessed community in our village. A big thank you to the Wendens Ambo Society for their support. A big thank you to FOWAC for the work they undertook (including the logiscs of Coronavirus) and for putng on the show. Finally, but not least, thank you to everyone who supported this event: those who entered, those who acted as judges, those who donated raffle prizes and those who came along to take part in the fun. 28 13 FOWAC’s first Wendens Ambo Fruit and Veg Show, Saturday 12th September 2020, sponsored by the Wendens Ambo Society My word, what a lovely day on Saturday 12th September – the sun shone, there was a light breeze and some fun-loving socially-distanced competion was enjoyed by all. Due to the very strange year we have been experiencing many of us have become more involved in nature. Some have grown more of their own fruits and vegetables and the weather has encouraged an abundance of produce in the hedgerows. Flowers and creativity has blossomed in households all around Wendens Ambo. As a village we have had some good community experiences this year; the Easter Egg Hunt; the teddy bears in the windows; support for the ever changing Bear in the Reynolds’ front garden; VE weekend along with the village Treasure Hunt; the WAS Photographic competion; the discovery of painted stones around the village. Fabulous. So, to lead us into the autumn and celebrate the labours in our gardens and homes a small Fruit and Veg Show was arranged by FOWAC. Longest, heaviest, largest fruits and veg were brought along to the village hall by keen gardeners on 12 September.